Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2045-2322 16 1 2026 Tribolium castaneum with longer duration of tonic immobility have more variations corresponding to the human Parkinson’s disease genomic region 8840 EN Keisuke Tanaka NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture Ken Sasaki Graduate School of Agriculture, Tamagawa University Shunsuke Yajima NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture Takahisa Miyatake Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative syndrome characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons and is also a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by dopamine deficiency. We established strains artificially selected for longer and shorter durations of tonic immobility, an antipredator behavior that has received much attention recently, in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, a model insect species for molecular analyses different from Drosophila melanogaster. Previous studies have shown that the long strains (L-strain) have significantly lower levels of dopamine expression in the brain than the short strains (S-strain) and that they have an abnormal pattern of locomotor activity. Furthermore, previous studies have shown that administering dopamine to L-strain beetles reduces the duration of tonic immobility. Transcriptome analysis of brain and thorax of the L- and S-strains also showed differences in mRNA expression of genes involved in dopamine synthesis and tyrosine metabolism. These results indicate that the phenotype and molecular basis of the L-strain are similar to those of Parkinson’s syndrome symptoms. In order to establish a link between T. castaneum and PD, we compared the DNA sequences of the L- and S-strains to human genes affecting dopaminergic pathways. The DNA comparison revealed many mutated regions in these genes in the L-strain. We discuss the relationship between dopaminergic pathway genes and PD-like phenotypes across humans, Drosophila, and the red flour beetle. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar Acta Medica Okayama 2548-5334 17 2 2025 Trend of adjusted antenatal care visits on pregnant women and neonatal during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a three districts survey in 2021 110 118 EN Juliani Ibrahim Departement of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar Yoko Takahata Nursing of Department, Graduate School of Health Science, Okayama University Sukaeni Ibrahim Faculty of Medicine, Bosowa University Sustainable health development efforts amid infectious disease outbreaks such as Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) require a resilient maternal health system. With cases rising globally and across Asia, Indonesia faces significant disruptions in essential services. A critical research gap exist in utilizing adjusted time-series analysis to isolated pandemic impact from seasonal variation in urban Indonesia. This study evaluates trends in antenatal care (ANC) visits (January 2019–December 2020) at three Community Health Centres in Makassar: Bara-Baraya, Jongaya and Batua using Interrupted Time Series (ITS) analysis. Findings reveal a significant decline in visits during the second and third quarters of 2020, primarily due to transmission fears. We suggest integration of telemedicine and home visits to maintain continuity of care. Although focused on urban Makassar, these results are an important reference for health and offer applicable solutions for other developing countries facing resource constraints. This study emphasizes the need for inclusive prevention strategies to protect maternal health in urban and rural areas in low- to middle-income countries during systemic health crises. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2075-4418 16 6 2026 Seasonal Variations in the Risk of Outpatient Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease 845 EN Hiroyuki Nakanoh Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kenji Tsuji Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kazuhiko Fukushima Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Naruhiko Uchida Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Soichiro Haraguchi Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shinji Kitamura Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Jun Wada Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Background/Objectives: Acute kidney injury (AKI) frequently occurs in the outpatient setting and is associated with adverse renal and survival outcomes. However, there is no established definition of outpatient AKI, and the risk factors, especially seasonal variation, remain limited. This study aimed to investigate seasonal variation in the risk of outpatient AKI. Methods: This retrospective observational study used routinely collected clinical laboratory data from a single hospital in Japan between 2007 and 2022. Outpatient AKI was defined as ≥35% relative decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) compared with a preceding outpatient measurement obtained within 14–90 days. Monthly and seasonal variations in outpatient AKI risk in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were evaluated using logistic regression models. Subgroup analyses were performed according to AKI stage, age group, and CKD stage. Results: A total of 203,853 outpatient records were analyzed. The incidence of outpatient AKI was highest in August and lowest in November. Analyses demonstrated significantly increased odds ratios of outpatient AKI in January, February, July, and August. Seasonally, the risk was significantly higher during the summer. Stage-specific analyses showed that AKI stage 1 was more frequent in the summer, whereas AKI stage 2 tended to increase during the winter. Conclusions: Outpatient AKI exhibits distinct seasonal patterns, with increased risk during both summer and winter and differential associations according to AKI severity and baseline kidney function. Recognition of these patterns may help identify vulnerable populations and inform targeted preventive strategies for outpatient AKI. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学理学部地球科学科 Acta Medica Okayama 1340-7414 32 1 2026 10分間降水量から大雨の特徴の多様性を捉える大学での授業の試み（防災気象リテラシー育成へ向けて） 21 31 EN Kuranoshin KATO Faculty of Education, Okayama University 10.18926/ESR/70296 　In the disaster prevention education on the heavy rainfall around Japan, it is also important to promote the meteorological literacy on the seasonal and regional differences of their rainfall characteristics such as the convective rain or stratiform rain, together with their total amount of precipitation and their occurrence frequency. As the first step toward the above purpose, the present study made a lesson practice for the university students by utilizing the 10-minute precipitation data for the four heavy rainfall events, in which the types of the heavy rainfall (although all the cases examined in the lesson are relating to the deep convective clouds) are rather different from each other, such as the differences of the rainfall intensity at the peak time, short-period variation of the rainfall intensity and the persistency of the rainfall including the "not so intense rainfall". The reports by the students seem to perceive the different features among these events briefly, but the students' attention to how long the intense rainfall with short-period variation or "not so intense rainfall" lasted was not so sufficient. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学文学部 Acta Medica Okayama 0285-4864 78 2025 広島市方言におけるアクセントの継承と変容（1）─ 1 拍・2 拍・3 拍名詞のアクセントの世代的動態 ─ 39 50 EN Yasue NAKATO 10.18926/okadai-bun-kiyou/70219 No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 1999-4923 18 1 2026 Streamlined Radiosynthesis of [18F]Fluproxadine (AF78): An Unprotected Guanidine Precursor Enables Efficient One-Step, Automation-Ready Labeling for Clinical Use 123 EN Xinyu Chen Nuclear Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg Kaito Ohta Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hiroyuki Kimura Agency for Health, Safety and Environment, Kyoto University Yusuke Yagi Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takanori Sasaki Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Naoko Nose Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masaru Akehi Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tomohiko Yamane Department of Molecular Imaging Research, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital Rudolf A. Werner Department of Nuclear Medicine, LMU Hospital, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich Takahiro Higuchi Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Background/Objectives: [18F]Fluproxadine (formerly [18F]AF78) is a PET radiotracer targeting the norepinephrine transporter (NET) with potential applications in cardiac, neurological, and oncological imaging. Its guanidine moiety, while essential for NET binding, presents major radiosynthetic challenges due to high basicity and the harsh deprotection conditions required for protected precursors. Previous methods relied on multistep procedures, strong acids, and complex purification, limiting clinical translation. This study aimed to develop a practical one-step radiosynthesis suitable for routine and automated production. Methods: A direct SN2-type nucleophilic [18F]fluorination was performed using an unprotected guanidine precursor to eliminate deprotection steps. Reaction parameters, including the base system, solvent composition, precursor concentration, and temperature, were optimized under conventional and microwave heating. Radiochemical conversion (RCC) and operational robustness were evaluated, and purification strategies were assessed for automation compatibility. Results: Direct [18F]fluorination using the unprotected precursor reduced the total synthesis time to 60–70 min. Optimal conditions employed a tert-butanol/acetonitrile (4:1) solvent system with K2CO3/Kryptofix222, affording RCC up to 33% under conventional heating. Microwave irradiation further improved efficiency, achieving RCC of up to 64% within 1.5 min at 140 °C. The method showed broad tolerance to variations in the base molar ratio and precursor concentration and enabled isocratic HPLC purification. Conclusions: This one-step radiosynthesis overcomes longstanding challenges in [18F]fluproxadine production by eliminating harsh deprotection and enabling high-yield, automation-ready synthesis, thereby improving clinical feasibility. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 2077-0383 15 5 2026 Effect of Surgical Procedures for Rheumatoid Forefoot Deformities on Radiographic Foot Length and Width Variations 1877 EN Masahiro Horita Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medical Development Field, Okayama University Yohei Kiso Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kurashiki Sweet Hospital Yoshihisa Nasu Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama City Hospital Ryuichi Nakahara Department of Musculoskeletal Health Promotion, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kenta Saiga Department of Sports Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Toshifumi Ozaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Keiichiro Nishida Locomotive Pain Center, Faculty of Medical Development Field, Okayama University Background: The number of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing forefoot arthroplasty has increased to better control the disease. Despite patients frequently expressing concerns regarding postoperative foot appearance and footwear-related expectations, no study has investigated postoperative changes in foot length and width in patients with RA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of surgical procedures for rheumatoid forefoot deformities on variations in radiologically determined foot length and width. Methods: In total, 72 feet of 50 women and 3 men (average age: 66.7 years) underwent joint-preserving arthroplasty (n = 33) and arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint with shortening osteotomy of the lesser metatarsals or resection arthroplasty of the lesser metatarsal heads (n = 39); procedures were carried out in our institute from August 2013 to February 2020. The mean disease duration was 23.5 years, and the average follow-up period was 17.5 months. Pre- and postoperative hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA) of the first and second metatarsals (M1M2A), and IMA of the first and fifth metatarsals (M1M5A) were measured on weightbearing radiographs as well as foot length and width. We also evaluated the correlation between changes in radiographic parameters and variations in radiologically determined foot length and width. Results: Radiologically determined foot width changed significantly from 10.1 cm to 9.7 cm (p < 0.01), while no significant difference was found between pre- and postoperative radiologically determined foot length. HVA, M1M2A, and M1M5A were significantly improved after the surgery (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, and p < 0.01, respectively). A significant negative correlation was found between the variation in radiologically determined foot length and changes in HVA (r = −0.29, p = 0.02) and M1M5A (r = −0.23, p < 0.05), while a significant positive correlation was found between the variation in the foot width and changes in HVA (r = 0.34, p < 0.01), M1M2A (r = 0.55, p < 0.01), and M1M5A (r = 0.45, p < 0.01). There were no significant differences between operative procedures regarding variation in radiologically determined foot length and width. Conclusions: Surgical procedure for rheumatoid forefoot deformity improved radiographic parameters and reduced radiographic foot width while maintaining foot length. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1865-1380 19 1 2026 Association of Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature with heat-related illness hospitalizations in Japan: a time-stratified, case-crossover study 11 EN Yuka Yamamura Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takashi Hongo Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tetsuya Yumoto Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Fumiya Sasai Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kohei Tokioka Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takafumi Obara Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tsuyoshi Nojima Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Jun Kanda Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Nippon Medical School Musashikosugi Hospital Shoji Yokobori Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Nippon Medical School Hiromichi Naito Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takashi Yorifuji Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Atsunori Nakao Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Background Heat-related illnesses are a serious public health concern and are exacerbated by global warming. Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is widely used as a heat stress indicator, but its clinical impact remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between hourly variations in WBGT and the incidence of hospitalizations for heat-related illness in Japan using a nationwide database. By incorporating individual-level clinical data and performing stratified analyses, we sought to provide a more granular understanding of how heat exposure affects the risk of heat-related illness requiring hospitalization.<br> Methods We conducted a time-stratified, case-crossover study using data collected from July to September in 2020 and 2021 in the Heatstroke STUDY registry. The inclusion criteria were patients registered in the Heatstroke STUDY registry, specifically hospitalized patients with heat-related illness who were transported to participating hospitals during the study period. Hourly WBGT values were assigned based on the nearest monitoring station to each hospital. Conditional logistic regression and distributed lag models were used to estimate associations between WBGT and the risk of hospitalization.<br> Results A total of 1,653 heat-related illness hospitalizations were analyzed. The mean patient age was 67.9 years; 67.6% were male. Each 1 °C increase in WBGT at onset (hospital arrival) was associated with a significantly increased risk of hospitalization (OR 1.10, 95% CI: 1.05–1.15). The cumulative effect over the prior six hours was also significant (OR 1.56, 95% CI: 1.50–1.62). Compared with WBGT < 25 °C, adjusted ORs were 3.39 (25–27 °C), 8.81 (28–30 °C), and 22.10 (≥ 31 °C). Stratified analyses suggested stronger associations among several subgroups; however, only patients with mental disorders showed statistically significant effect modification, whereas elevated WBGT posed a risk across all groups.<br> Conclusions Higher WBGT levels were associated with an increased risk of heat-related hospitalization. Although the effect appeared greater in some subgroups, only patients with mental disorders demonstrated statistically significant effect modification, suggesting elevated WBGT confers risk broadly. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学文明動態学研究所 Acta Medica Okayama 2436-8326 5 2026 島根県猪目洞窟遺跡出土人骨の年代・食性・遺伝的特徴 20 39 EN Hideaki KANZAWA-KIRIYAMA Division of Human Evolution, Paleontology and Anthropology, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture Mai TAKIGAMI Division of Human Evolution, Paleontology and Anthropology, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture Tsuneo KAKUDA Department of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi Leo SPEIDEL Center for Interdisciplinary Theoretical and Mathematical Sciences, RIKEN Garrett HELLENTHAL Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London Genetics Institute (UGI), University College London Nancy BIRD Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London Genetics Institute (UGI), University College London Yousuke KAWAI Genome Medical Science Project, National Institute of Global Health and Medicine, National Institute for Health Security NCBN Controls WGS Consortium Minoru SAKAMOTO National Museum of Japanese History Yuichi KAMEDA Division of Human Evolution, Paleontology and Anthropology, National Museum of Nature and Science, Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture Noboru ADACHI Department of Legal Medicine, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi Ken-ichi SHINODA National Museum of Nature and Science Naruya SAITOU National Institute of Genetics Tatsuhiko HAMADA Research Institute for the Dynamics of Civilizations, Okayama University 論文 (Research article) 10.18926/70052 This paper reports on the integrative research findings of the human bones excavated from the Inome Cave Site in Shimane Prefecture, based on dietary estimation using carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis, radiocarbon dating, and whole genome analysis. The dates of the analyzed human bones span a wide range, from the Middle to Late Kofun period, the Nara period to the Early Heian period, and the Middle to Late Heian period, indicating that the Inome Cave Site was continuously used as a burial place. Dietary habits were a mixture of C3 resources (C3 plants and terrestrial animals that consumed C3 plants) and marine resources, with individual variations in the intake of marine and terrestrial resources. A correlation was observed between differences in dietary habits and individual variations in the Jomon ratio in the nuclear genome, with individuals who consumed higher amounts of marine resources tending to have a higher Jomon ratio. This suggests that individuals with different backgrounds were buried in the same site due to interactions with surrounding settlements. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2352-409X 70 2026 A semi-quantitative archaeothermometer based on feldspar and volcanic glass compositions in ancient ceramics from the Kibi region, Japan 105566 EN Toshio Nozaka Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Naoya Ohbayashi Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Yuki Toda Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Taiji Anami Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Kanako Sugiura Department of Archaeology, Okayama University Takahiro Nozaki Research Institute for the Dynamics of Civilizations, Okayama University Osamu Kimura Research Institute for the Dynamics of Civilizations, Okayama University Naoko Matsumoto Research Institute for the Dynamics of Civilizations, Okayama University Akira Seike Department of Archaeology, Okayama University In this study, we analyzed the chemical compositions of feldspar and volcanic glass clasts in haniwa from kofuns and Sue ware from the Sabukaze kiln site, both in the Kibi region, southwestern Japan, to estimate the thermal conditions of ceramic firing in the 5th–8th centuries CE. Based on the coexistence of molten and unmolten feldspar rims, the solidus temperatures were estimated at ∼ 1050°C–1150°C for haniwa and ∼ 1150°C–1200°C for Sue ware. Volcanic glass compositions changed systematically during firing, showing increases in K2O and decreases in Na2O. From these observations, we propose a semi-quantitative archaeothermometer using variations in the K/Na molar ratio of volcanic glass within a ceramic matrix. This approach can be applied to investigate the development of kiln-firing in the Kibi region, the existence of haniwa potters employing different firing methods, variation in heat input for producing Sue vessels of differing sizes or functions, and temperature-controlled practices in Sue ware production. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

BMJ Acta Medica Okayama 2044-6055 15 12 2025 Effectiveness of education programme to increase competency of health cadres in Indonesia: a cluster non-randomised controlled trial e095428 EN Dewie Sulistyorini Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University K A T M Ehsanul Huq Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University Abdulfatai Olamilekan Babaita Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University Sadia A Aivey Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University Gao Huiying Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University Kana Kazawa Faculty of Health Sciences, Okayama University Yasuko Fukushima Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University Mayumi Kako Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University Michiko Moriyama Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University Objectives Health cadres, who assist midwives in supporting pregnant women in community settings, need to enhance their competencies in identifying risk factors and referring high-risk pregnant women to midwives for further care. Since the capabilities of these health cadres are influenced by maternal complications, an educational programme was implemented to strengthen their skills. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the competency of health cadres by providing a researcher-developed educational programme.<br> Design An open-label, cluster non-randomised controlled trial.<br> Setting and participants Health cadres with at least 1 year of work experience were recruited at six public health centres (PHCs) in Banjarnegara Regency, Indonesia.<br> Interventions Six PHCs were selected and allocated into intervention group (IG=3 PHCs) and control group (CG=3 PHCs) groups. A total of 133 female health cadres were enrolled across the selected PHCs. At each PHC, a systematic random sampling method was used to select the participants. The researchers and health professionals provided a 3-week period of theoretical and scenario-based simulations to the IG, while the CG received no education.<br> Outcome measures Researcher-developed questionnaires and checklists were used to assess the knowledge, skills (health assessment, communication, attitude) and confidence. The primary endpoint was competency, a total score of knowledge and skills. The outcome domains were compared between the two groups, and a linear mixed-effect model was used to account for cluster-level variation.<br> Results A total of 130 (97.7%) completed the study (IG:64, CG:66). The competency score showed significant improvement at endline (CG=49.5 and IG=52.5; p=0.002). The median scores for health assessment skills (CG=12 vs IG=14; p<0.001) and communication skills (CG=7 vs IG=8; p<0.001) were increased in the IG compared with the CG. Mixed-effect model indicated that groups (β (95% CI) 2.49 (0.57 to 4.41), p=0.012), baseline knowledge (β(95% CI) 0.73 (0.54 to 0.92), p<0.001) and midline health assessment skills (β (95% CI) 0.54 (0.25 to 0.82), p<0.001) were significant positive predictors, while age was negatively associated with competency (β (95% CI) −0.20 (−0.30 to −0.10), p<0.001)).<br> Conclusion Education effectively increased the competency of health cadres. A well-structured education programme is necessary for health cadres to improve and maintain their competencies in monitoring high-risk pregnant women.<br> Trial registration number NCT06134518. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 1341-321X 31 7 2025 Impact of full-time equivalent allocation on the effectiveness of antimicrobial stewardship activities: A multicenter study in Okayama, Japan 102730 EN Shiho Kajita Antimicrobial Stewardship Team, Okayama City Hospital Hideharu Hagiya Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital Atsushi Okita Department of Surgery, Setouchi City Hospital Yuto Haruki Department of Pharmacy, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital Haruto Yamada Antimicrobial Stewardship Team, Okayama City Hospital Yasurou Inoue Antimicrobial Stewardship Team, Okayama City Hospital Tsukasa Higashionna Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Kana Satou Division of Pharmacy, Kurashiki Central Hospital Fumihiro Torigoe Division of Pharmacy, Kurashiki Central Hospital Shinobu Iwamoto Division of Pharmacy, Okayama Kyoritsu Hospital Mika Yoshida Infection Control Team, National Hospital Organization Minami-Okayama Medical Center Yumiko Yamane Infection Control Team, National Hospital Organization Minami-Okayama Medical Center Hiroki Kenmotsu Division of Pharmacy, Okayama Saiseikai Hospital Satoru Sugimura Department of Internal Medicine, Okayama Kyoritsu Hospital Yutaka Fujiwara Infection Control Team, National Hospital Organization Minami-Okayama Medical Center Fusao Ikeda Department of Hepatology, Okayama Saiseikai Hospital Toshihiro Koyama Department of Health Data Science, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Chikamasa Yoshida Infection Control Team, Okayama City Hospital Shinichirou Andou Infection Control Team, Okayama City Hospital Toshimitsu Suwaki Infection Control Team, Okayama City Hospital Background: Optimized administration of antimicrobial agents is critical for mitigating the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between antimicrobial stewardship (AS) activities and antimicrobial prescription trends and patterns.<br> Methods: This retrospective, multicenter, longitudinal study was conducted between April 2014 and March 2023 (9-year fiscal period). A structured, questionnaire survey, regarding institutional infrastructure and environmental parameters, service modalities provided by AS activities, resource allocation and systemic support, and data on the use of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents, was distributed to co-investigators working at seven hospitals in Okayama, Japan. Full-time equivalent (FTE) allocation for each healthcare facility were calculated and subsequently compared among the hospitals. Temporal variations in the proportional distribution of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents were statistically evaluated using joinpoint regression analysis.<br> Results: Two hospitals where pharmacists were exclusively dedicated to AS activities and met the recommended FTE allocation showed a statistically significant reduction in the proportion of broad-spectrum antibiotic administration, with average annual percentage changes of −8.0 % (95 % confidence interval [CI]: −10.5 to −5.8) and −3.1 % (95 % CI: −5.5 to −0.7), respectively. In contrast, two other hospitals with full-time AS members but insufficient FTE allocation exhibited inconsistent and statistically nonuniform trends. The remaining three healthcare institutions with poorly resourced AS teams demonstrated no statistically significant trends in their broad-spectrum antimicrobial prescriptions.<br> Conclusion: Our findings uncovered that hospitals with adequate FTE staffing metrics for AS activities exhibited statistically significant downward trends in the consumption of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japanese Society of Breeding Acta Medica Okayama 1344-7610 75 3 2025 Polyphyletic domestication and inter-lineage hybridization magnified genetic diversity of cultivated melon, Cucumis melo L. 168 178 EN Katsunori Tanaka Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University Gentaro Shigita Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Tran Phuong Dung Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Phan Thi Phuong Nhi University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University Mami Takahashi Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Yuki Monden Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hidetaka Nishida Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Ryuji Ishikawa Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University Kenji Kato Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Melon accessions with diverse geographical origins were classified into large and small seed-types by length of seed at the boundary of 9 mm, and into five populations based on polymorphisms in the nuclear genome. They were further divided into three maternal lineages, Ia, Ib, and Ic, by polymorphisms in the chloroplast genome. By combining these three classifications, the Europe/US subsp. melo and the East Asian subsp. agrestis were characterized as [large seed, Ib, PopA1 or A2] and [small seed, Ia, PopB1 or B2], respectively, indicating nearly perfect divergence. In South Asia, in addition to the Europe/US and East Asian types, recombinant types between the two types were detected and accounted for 34.8% of South Asian melon. The finding of such an intermixed structure of genetic variation supported the Indian origin of Ia and Ib types. As to Momordica popular in South Asia, seed length was intermediate between the large and small seed-types, and chloroplast type was a mixture of Ia and Ib, suggesting its origin from the recombinant type. In Africa, three lineages of melon were distributed allopatrically and showed distinct divergence. Subsp. agrestis of the Ic type proved to be endemic to Africa, indicating its African origin. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2772-4271 21 2026 Assessing water resources availability and crop performance under climate change in Kenya's Bura irrigation scheme using SWAT and AquaCrop 100624 EN Daniel Mwendwa Wambua Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Hiroaki Somura Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Toshitsugu Moroizumi Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Morihiro Maeda Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University The current study focused on Tana River Basin in Kenya, home to the Bura irrigation scheme (BIS). The BIS faces water supply shortages during critical months of crop development. This study aimed to evaluate the available water resources and crop performance using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and AquaCrop, respectively, under historical and future shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) at the BIS. SWAT estimated the total available flows (TAF) at the BIS intake, whereas AquaCrop estimated crop water requirements (CWR), yields, and water productivity (Wpet) of rice and maize at various carbon (IV) oxide (CO2) levels. The study suggested that the TAF will remain relatively low during the early critical crop development stages in the main cropping season, August-October. Maize yields remained steady over the two cropping seasons under both constant and elevated CO2 levels in the historical and future periods, as opposed to those of rice. Elevated CO2 levels led to diminishing CWR. Moreover, rice showed a stronger response to elevated CO2 than maize. As a result, maize which is less affected by variations in CO2 and temperatures and has less crop water requirements will be better suited than rice for cultivation in the BIS under climate change. To ensure a sustainable water supply in the scheme, the government should increase rainwater harvesting during periods of high TAF. Moreover, there should be a focus on introducing crops that are tolerant to water and temperature stresses and that can reap the most from the elevated CO2 levels. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2772-3755 11 2025 Robustness of the RGB image-based estimation for rice above-ground biomass by utilizing the dataset collected across multiple locations 100998 EN Kota Nakajima Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Kazuki Saito International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Yasuhiro Tsujimoto Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Toshiyuki Takai Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Atsushi Mochizuki CHIBA Prefectural Agriculture and Forestry Research Center Tomoaki Yamaguchi Faculty of Applied Biological Sciences, Gifu University Ali Ibrahim Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), Regional Station for the Sahel Salifou Goube Mairoua Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) Bruce Haja Andrianary Laboratoire des Radioisotopes, Université d′Antananarivo Keisuke Katsura Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Yu Tanaka Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Above-ground biomass (AGB) is a critical phenotype representing crop growth. Non-invasive evaluations of AGB, including deep-learning-based red-green-blue (RGB) image analyses, are often specific to the training data. The robustness of the estimation model across untrained conditions is essential to monitor crop productivity globally, but it has yet to be fully assessed. This study aims to assess the robustness of a convolutional neural network (CNN) model for rice AGB estimation across five locations in three countries, and to demonstrate the feasibility of robust model via a practical approach. From transplanting to heading, 1957 RGB images were captured vertically downward over the rice canopy, covering approximately 1 m2. First, a base model was established using data collected from a single location. Then, its robustness was assessed using test datasets taken from the other four locations. The CNN model showed a significant variation in estimation accuracy across the untrained four locations, indicating insufficient robustness of the base model. Subsequently, we quantitatively tested the impact of improving training data diversity on model robustness by adding data from each of the four locations to the base model's training data. Adding at most 48 data points from a location achieved practical accuracy for the added location, with R2Ad above 0.8. Interestingly, adding data from one location sometimes improved the accuracy for other untrained locations as well. These findings suggest that collecting diverse training data for RGB-based estimation, combined with evaluation of robustness paves the way for on-site and instant AGB monitoring of rice. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 1120-1797 140 2025 Improvements of lateral penumbra at various depth regions in proton pencil beam scanning with a multileaf collimator: Dose verifications and plan comparisons 105684 EN Yuki Tominaga Department of Radiotherapy, Medical Co. Hakuhokai, Osaka Proton Therapy Clinic Yushi Wakisaka Department of Radiotherapy, Medical Co. Hakuhokai, Osaka Proton Therapy Clinic Takahiro Kato Department of Radiological Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Fukushima Medical University Keisuke Yasui School of Medical Sciences, Fujita Health University Ryohei Kato Department of Radiation Physics and Technology, Southern Tohoku Proton Therapy Center Masaya Ichihara Medical Physics Laboratory, Division of Health Science, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Osaka Masashi Tomida Department of Proton Beam Technology Room, Narita Memorial Proton Center Motoharu Sasaki Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Masataka Oita Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Teiji Nishio Medical Physics Laboratory, Division of Health Science, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Osaka Purpose: In scanned proton therapy, the current consensus is that the effective range of the collimator’s contribution to lateral penumbra improvement is up to approximately 150 mm depth. We characterized the penumbra variations for scanned proton beams with or without a new type of multileaf collimator (MLC) under various air gaps, depth, and with or without range shifter (RS).<br> Methods: Eighty-six uniform dose plans were created (38 RS-negative and 48 RS-positive plans) for nine box targets of 60 × 60 × 54 mm3 at 0–280 mm depths in water. They were created with or without MLC, with 50–300 mm air gaps. The penumbra and average doses of MLC-positive and MLC-negative plans at the organs at risk (OAR) region of each box plan were compared. Besides, several plan doses were validated by measurements with penumbra (with an average of 80–20 % dose point widths for both side profiles) differences and 2D gamma analysis.<br> Results: The MLC-positive plans reduced the penumbra and mean OAR doses by 1.0–5.1 mm and 3.3–13.5 %, respectively, compared to MLC-negative plans even at >150 mm depths. The penumbra differences in measurements were <±1.5 mm for all plans. The mean gamma scores at 2 %/2 mm were 97.9 ± 2.3 % and 97.4 ± 3.1 % for the MLC-negative and MLC-positive plans, respectively.<br> Conclusions: The MLC-positive beams improved the penumbra and reduced the OAR dose in every depth region and air gap. We have shown that PBS with MLCs can be useful at more than 150 mm regions, depending on the machine. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0883-2927 187 2025 Nitrogen distribution and nitrogen isotope fractionation in synthetic 2:1 phyllosilicates under hydrothermal conditions at 200 °C and saturated vapor pressure 106403 EN Jaeguk Jo Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Toshiro Yamanaka Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Youko Miyoshi Research Institute for Geo-Resources and Environment, Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Masaya Suzuki Research Institute for Geo-Resources and Environment, Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Yoshihiro Kuwahara Department of Environmental Changes, Faculty of Social and Cultural Studies, Kyushu University Isao Kadota Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hitoshi Chiba Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Bum Han Lee Critical Minerals Research Center, Korea Institute of Geoscience & Mineral Resources (KIGAM) This study investigates nitrogen distribution and isotope fractionation within synthetic 2:1 phyllosilicates, simulating submarine hydrothermal environments at 200 °C and saturated vapor pressure. XRD and EDS results revealed the potential coexistence of multiple cations in the interlayer of synthetic 2:1 phyllosilicate, concurrently suggesting cation substitution in the tetrahedral and/or octahedral sheets. Meanwhile, the iron-enriched 25-5 sample exhibited restricted interlayer expansibility. NH4+ absorptions were identified in the NH4-stretching (3200–2800 cm−1) and NH4-bending (1450–1400 cm−1) regions, with wavenumber shifts indicating the influence of interlayer water removal. At pH 10.56, over 95% of nitrogen was released into the gas phase, while at pH 8.88, nitrogen proportions in the liquid and gas phases were comparable (average 48–49%). Experiments with iron at pH ∼8.80 showed that the nitrogen proportion in the gas phase (average 28%) was more than twofold lower than that in the liquid phase (average 68%). Equilibrium isotope fractionation factors indicated discernible preference for heavier nitrogen isotopes in the solid phase (αsolid-liquid = 1.009–1.021 and αsolid-gas = 1.011–1.027). The αliquid-gas range for sample 25–2 was 1.001–1.008, while that for the iron-enriched composite 25–5 was 0.997–1.010. Our experimental studies have confirmed that, in the absence of exchange interactions with external substances possessing different nitrogen isotope ratios, nitrogen isotope fractionation between ammonium and ammonia, controlled by variations in temperature and pH during mineralization, plays a crucial role in the variation of nitrogen isotope ratios. Additionally, we confirmed that metal-amines influence nitrogen isotope fractionation by modulating ammonia gas emission. These findings enhance our understanding of nitrogen cycling across the gas, liquid, and solid phases in submarine hydrothermal systems. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press (OUP) Acta Medica Okayama 1340-2838 32 6 2025 MedakaBase as a unified genomic resource platform for medaka fish biology dsaf030 EN Kenji Morikami Molecular Life History Laboratory, Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems Yasuhiro Tanizawa Genome Informatics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems Masaru Yagura Molecular Life History Laboratory, Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems Mika Sakamoto Genome Informatics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems Shoko Kawamoto Department of Genetics, Sokendai (Graduate University for Advanced Studies) Yasukazu Nakamura Genome Informatics Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems Katsushi Yamaguchi Trans-Omics Facility, National Institute for Basic Biology Shuji Shigenobu Trans-Omics Facility, National Institute for Basic Biology Kiyoshi Naruse Laboratory of Bioresources, National Institute for Basic Biology, National Institutes of Natural Sciences Satoshi Ansai Ushimado Marine Institute, Okayama University Shigehiro Kuraku Molecular Life History Laboratory, Department of Genomics and Evolutionary Biology, National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems Medaka, a group of small, mostly freshwater fishes in the teleost order Beloniformes, includes the rice fish Oryzias latipes, a useful model organism studied in diverse biological fields. Chromosome-scale genome sequences of the Hd-rR strain of this species were obtained in 2007, and its improved version has facilitated various genome-wide studies. However, despite its widespread utility, omics data for O. latipes are dispersed across various public databases and lack a unified platform. To address this, the medaka section of the National Bioresource Project (NBRP) of Japan established a genome informatics team in 2022 tasked with providing various in silico solutions for bench biologists. This initiative led to the launch of MedakaBase (https://medakabase.nbrp.jp), a web server that enables gene-oriented analysis including exhaustive sequence similarity searches. MedakaBase also provides on-demand browsing of diverse genome-wide datasets, including tissue-specific transcriptomes and intraspecific genomic variations, integrated with gene models from different sources. Additionally, the platform offers gene models optimized for single-cell transcriptome analysis, which often requires coverage of the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of transcripts. Currently, MedakaBase provides genome-wide data for seven Oryzias species, including original data for O. mekongensis and O. luzonensis produced by the NBRP team. This article outlines technical details behind the data provided by MedakaBase. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2662-4729 2025 Evaluation of the small-field output factor in eclipse modeling methods using representative beam and measured data with averaged ionization chamber and diode detector measurements EN Kunio Nishioka Department of Radiology, Tokuyama Central Hospital Yuki Kunii Department of Radiology, Tokuyama Central Hospital Yoshinori Tanabe Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Yuichi Sakamoto Department of Radiology, Tokuyama Central Hospital Akira Nakamoto Department of Radiology, Tokuyama Central Hospital Shotaro Takahashi Department of Radiology, Tokuyama Central Hospital Beam modeling for radiotherapy treatment planning systems (RTPS) can be performed using representative beam data (RBD) or direct measurements. However, RBD typically excludes output factor (OPF) measurements for fields smaller than 3 × 3 cm2. The Eclipse treatment planning system addresses this limitation by incorporating measured OPF data for fields as small as 1 × 1 cm2. Although existing studies have primarily examined the accuracy of small-field OPFs for plastic scintillator detectors, studies directly comparing the OPF values obtained through RBD modeling with and without OPF measurements for small field sizes are limited. Therefore, this study proposes a novel measurement approach using data averaged from an ion chamber and diode detector for small-field dosimetry to provide critical insights into the integration of OPFs for these small field sizes in RBD-based beam modeling. We systematically evaluated the impact of small-field OPF measurements on beam modeling accuracy by comparing three distinct approaches: (1) RBD-based modeling without small-field OPF data, (2) RBD-based modeling incorporating measured small-field OPF data, and (3) modeling based solely on measured data, with and without the inclusion of 1 × 1 cm2 field sizes. In addition, we compared OPF values obtained from a W2 plastic scintillator detector with the averaged OPF values from a PinPoint 3D ion chamber and EDGE diode detector across multiple beam energies and flattening filter-free (FFF) configurations. Our analysis included field sizes ranging from 1 × 1 cm2 to 40 × 40 cm2. The results demonstrated that for square fields, OPF calculation differences between RBD modeling with and without measured data were < 1.5%, < 4.5%, and < 4.5% at 1 × 1 cm2, and < 0.5%, < 1.5%, and < 1.5% at 2  ×  2 cm2, respectively. The RBD group exhibited a trend in which the OPF difference increased with the expansion of the irradiation field size. Notably, the most significant variations between modeling approaches occurred along the upper jaw expansion direction in rectangular fields. This suggests that a thorough evaluation is necessary for modeling results with an OPF ≤  1 × 1 cm2. This study highlights the advantages and disadvantages of beam modeling using measured OPF and RBD, providing valuable insights for future facilities that rely solely on RBD for beam modeling. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 1279-8517 47 1 2025 A case of a large venous ring around the mandibular condyle 95 EN Keitaro Nishi Department of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Science, Field of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University Tatsuo Okui Department of Maxillofacial Diagnostic and Surgical Science, Field of Oral and Maxillofacial Rehabilitation, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University Yohei Takeshita Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Jingo Kusukawa Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine R. Shane Tubbs Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Neuroscience Research Center, Tulane University School of Medicine Joe Iwanaga Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine Anatomical details regarding venous drainage of the head and neck are an important matter for surgeons to avoid unnecessary complications such as hemorrhage. This report describes a case of the large venous ring around the mandibular condyle found in the cadaver. The left maxillofacial region of a latex-injected embalmed male cadaver (82 years of age at death) was dissected. The large two maxillary veins ran lateral to the capsule and superior to the mandibular notch and coursed posteroinferiorly to merge, and one trunk was formed at the posterior border of the ramus. It then received the superficial temporal vein superiorly to form the retromandibular vein (RMV). In addition, three maxillary veins were drained from the pterygoid venous plexus (PVP), medial to the ramus, one maxillary vein drained from the PVP into the RMV trunk, while two maxillary veins drained from the PVP into the anterior division of the RMV. All five large veins lateral and medial to the condyle drained from the PVP into the RMV. The knowledge of such an anatomical variation might prevent intraoperative bleeding in the temporomandibular joint region. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2352-4928 50 2026 Effects of grain size and crystal orientation on tensile properties of pure titanium thin wires 114240 EN Junji Sakamoto Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Naoya Tada Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takeshi Uemori Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University To clarify the effects of the grain size and crystal orientation on the tensile properties of pure titanium thin wires, tensile and stepwise tensile tests were conducted on pure titanium wires with diameters of approximately 180 μm and different average grain sizes (52, 37, 23, and 3.8 μm). When the grain size was large, the fracture strain was significantly smaller, the variation in tensile strength was larger, and the grain size threshold for such properties was a grain-size ratio to wire diameter of 0.13 or greater. For larger grain sizes, the slip system with the highest modified Schmid factor (MSF), which is the Schmid factor divided by the critical resolved shear stress of each slip system, was activated in all 15 grains whereas for smaller grain sizes, the percentage of slip systems activated with the highest MSF was slightly lower. In addition, the fracture location in a thin wire with larger grain sizes was highly correlated with the average MSF of the grains in the cross-section. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 1086-9379 2025 The effect of pressure on dihedral angle between liquid Fe‐S and orthopyroxene: Implication for percolative core formation in planetesimals and planetary embryos EN Takumi Miura Department of Earth and Space Science, Osaka University Hidenori Terasaki Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Hyu Takaki Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Kotaro Kobayashi Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Geoffrey David Bromiley School of Geosciences, The University of Edinburgh Takashi Yoshino Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University During precursor stages of planet formation, many planetesimals and planetary embryos are considered to have differentiated, forming an iron-alloy core and silicate mantle. Percolation of liquid iron-alloy in solid silicates is one of the major possible differentiation processes in these small bodies. Based on the dihedral angles between Fe-S melts and olivine, a criterion for determining whether melt can percolate through a solid, it has been reported that Fe-S melt can percolate through olivine matrices below 3 GPa in an oxidized environment. However, the dihedral angle between Fe-S melts and orthopyroxene (opx), the second most abundant mineral in the mantles of small bodies, has not yet been determined. In this study, high-pressure and high-temperature experiments were conducted under the conditions of planetesimal and planetary embryo interiors, 0.5–5.0 GPa, to determine the effect of pressure on the dihedral angle between Fe-S melts and opx. Dihedral angles tend to increase with pressure, although the pressure dependence is markedly reduced above 4 GPa. The dihedral angle is below the percolation threshold of 60° at pressures below 1.0–1.5 GPa, indicating that percolative core formation is possible in opx-rich interiors of bodies where internal pressures are lower than 1.0–1.5 GPa. The oxygen content of Fe-S melt decreases with increasing pressure. High oxygen contents in Fe-S melt reduce interfacial tension between Fe-S melt and opx, resulting in reduced dihedral angles at low pressure. Combined with previous results for dihedral angle variation of the olivine/Fe-S system, percolative core formation possibly occurs throughout bodies up to a radius of 1340 km for an olivine-dominated mantle, and up to 770 km for an opx-dominated mantle, in the case of S-rich cores segregating under relatively oxidizing conditions. For mantles of small bodies in which abundant olivine and opx coexist, the mineral with the largest volume fraction and/or smallest grain size will allow formation of interconnected mineral channels, and, therefore, the wetting property of this mineral determines the wettability of the melt, that is, controls core formation. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 0013-8703 2025 Artificial Selections for Life-History Traits Affect Effective Cumulative Temperature and Developmental Zero Point in Zeugoducus cucurbitae EN Takahisa Miyatake Graduate School of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kentarou Matsumura Department of General Systems Studies, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the University of Tokyo Effective cumulative temperature and developmental zero point are important indicators for estimating the timing of organism development and the area of distribution. These indicators are generally considered to have unique values for different species of organisms and are also important for predicting the distribution range of animals and plants, especially insect pests. These values generally are species-specific, but there is variation within populations in traits having a genetic component. However, there are no studies on what kind of selection pressure affects these indicator values. To address this issue, it would be worthwhile to compare these values using individuals of strains that have been artificially selected for life-history traits by rearing them at various temperatures and calculating these indicators from developmental days and temperatures. In the present study, eggs were taken from adults of strains with many generations of artificial selection on two life-history traits (age at reproduction and developmental period) of the melon fly, Zeugodacus cucurbitae, under constant temperature conditions. Eggs were reared at five different temperatures, and the effective cumulative temperatures and developmental zero points of the larval and developmental periods were compared. The results demonstrate that artificial selection on life-history traits in Z. cucurbitae induces evolutionary changes in both the effective cumulative temperature and the developmental zero point across successive generations. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0003-6862 2025 Comparison of flight behaviors among laboratory and field strains in Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) using a simple method to measure flight ability EN Sota Sone Faculty of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takahisa Miyatake Faculty of Environment, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Most insects can fly. The acquisition of flight is a factor that allows insects to prosper on Earth. On the other hand, in the same species and population, individual differences in flight ability may occur. Flight ability can vary due to geographical conditions and cumulative rearing. Investigating these changes in flight performance is important for understanding dispersal polymorphism and the evolution of flight performance. Thus, in the present study, the flight behaviors between cumulative rearing and field strains and changes in flight behaviors between strains of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), which is distributed around the world were compared. Tribolium castaneum is a worldwide pest of stored grains. Its body length is about 3–4 mm. Previous studies have investigated the influence of environmental and physiological factors on the flight of this species, but no studies have examined individual differences or polymorphism in flight behaviors within this species. In this study, we developed a simple apparatus that can quantify the flight behavior of this species. The experimental apparatus was set up as a double structure with two different size containers. This apparatus was able to assess the flight activity of insects by counting individuals in a big container because insects transfer to the big container only by flight. Moreover, upward flight ability was possible to be assessed by the apparatus adding the barrier. Then, the flight behavior was compared between strains of this species that have been bred in the laboratory for more than 45 years and several strains of this species collected in the field. The results showed no variation in flight activity between strains, but flying ability was higher in strains originating from warmer regions. Here, we discussed the variations in flight behavior of T. castaneum. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

The Royal Society Acta Medica Okayama 2054-5703 12 9 2025 On weapons allometry and the form of sexual selection 251152 EN Hironori Shinohara Center for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus Manmohan D. Sharma Center for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus Tanya M. Pennell Center for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus Kensuke Okada Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University David J. Hosken Center for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus The study of trait scaling with body size (allometry) has a long history, and it has been argued that positive static allometry is an indicator of directional sexual selection. However, a range of allometries exists for sexually selected traits, and modelling shows this variation can be generated by altering the form of selection (fitness functions) on the trait and/or body size. Interestingly, in all models, positive allometry appears to emerge only when there is directional selection on trait size. Here, we report on a sexually selected trait that shows strong positive static allometry and yet appears to be under stabilizing selection. This surprising finding suggests the evolution of trait scaling is even more nuanced than currently appreciated. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Informa UK Limited Acta Medica Okayama 0003-2719 58 2 2024 Influence of Dilution Upon the Ultraviolet-Visible Peak Absorbance and Optical Bandgap Estimation of Tin(IV) Oxide and Tin(IV) Oxide-Molybdenum(IV) Sulfide Solutions 196 212 EN Chin Khai Ong School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Weng Nam Lee Heriot-Watt Global College, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Mohammad Khalid Sunway Centre for Electrochemical Energy and Sustainable Technology (SCEEST), School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University Muhammad Amirul Aizat Mohd Abdah Sunway Centre for Electrochemical Energy and Sustainable Technology (SCEEST), School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University Patrik Ohberg Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Ling Hong Lim Heriot-Watt Global College, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia Yasuhiko Hayashi Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Okayama University Takeshi Nishikawa Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Okayama University Yuenkiat Yap Heriot-Watt Global College, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia The study investigated the constraints associated with the dilution technique in determining the optical bandgap of nanoparticle dispersion and modified nanocomposites, utilizing ultraviolet-visible absorbance spectra and Tauc plot analysis. A case study involving SnO2 dispersion and SnO2-MoS2 nanocomposite solutions, prepared through the direct solution mixing method, was conducted to assess the implications of dilution upon the absorbance spectra and bandgap estimation. The results emphasize the considerable impact of the dilution technique on the measured optical bandgap, demonstrating that higher dilution factors lead to shift in bandgap values. Furthermore, the study highlights that dilution can induce variations in the average nanoparticle sizes due to agglomeration, thereby influencing bandgap estimation. In the context of nanocomposites, the interaction between SnO2 nanoparticles and exfoliated MoS2 nanosheets diminishes with increasing dilution, leading to the estimated optical bandgap being primarily attributable to SnO2 nanoparticles alone. These observations underscore the necessity for caution when employing the dilution technique for bandgap estimation in nanoparticles dispersion and nanocomposites, offering valuable insights for researchers and practitioners in the field. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 1367-2223 28 1 2024 Can online interactions reduce loneliness in young adults during university closures in Japan? The directed acyclic graphs approach e12658 EN Kohei Kambara Doshisha University Akihiro Toya Hiroshima University Sumin Lee Hiroshima University Haruka Shimizu Nishikyushu Univ. Junior College Kazuaki Abe Hiroshima University Jun Shigematsu Toyama University Qingyuan Zhang Hiroshima University Natsuki Abe Hiroshima Bunkyo University Ryo Hayase Chubu University Nobuhito Abe Kyoto University Ryusuke Nakai Kyoto University Shuntaro Aoki Fukushima Medical University Kohei Asano Kyoto University Ryosuke Asano Kurume University Makoto Fujimura Fukuoka Jo Gakuin University Ken’ichiro Fukui Kwassui Women's University Yoshihiro Fukumoto Kansai Medical University Kaichiro Furutani Kansai University Koji Hasegawa Komazawa University Hirofumi Hashimoto Osaka Metropolitan University Mikoto Hashimoto Chukyo Gakuin University Hiroki Hosogoshi Kansai University Hiroshi Ikeda Kyushu University Toshiyuki Ishioka Kobe University Chiharu Ito University of Human Environments Suguru Iwano Fukushima Medical University Masafumi Kamada Shujitsu Junior College Yoshihiro Kanai Tohoku Gakuin University Tomonori Karita Ehime University Yu Kasagi Rissho University Emiko S. Kashima La Trobe University Juri Kato Kanazawa Institute of Technology Yousuke Kawachi Tohoku University Jun‐ichiro Kawahara Hokkaido University Masanori Kimura Graduate School of Business Administration, Kobe University Yugo Kira Kurume University Yuko Kiyonaga (Sakoda) Kyushu Kyoritsu University Hiroshi Kohguchi Ryutsu Keizai University Asuka Komiya Hiroshima University Keita Masui Otemon Gakuin University Akira Midorikawa Chuo University Nobuhiro Mifune Kochi University of Technology Akimine Mizukoshi Asahi University Kengo Nawata Fukuoka University Takashi Nishimura Hiroshima International University Daisuke Nogiwa Seikei University Kenji Ogawa Hokkaido University Junko Okada Prefectural University of Hiroshima Aki Okamoto Okayama University Reiko Okamoto Osaka University Kyoko Sasaki Kanagawa University of Human Services Kosuke Sato Kurume University Hiroshi Shimizu Kwansei Gakuin University Atsushi Sugimura Tokai University Yoko Sugitani Sophia University Hitomi Sugiura Kindai University Kyoko Sumioka Okayama University Bumpei Sunaguchi Graduate School of Business Administration, Kobe University Masataka Takebe Otsuma Women's University Hiroki C. Tanabe Nagoya University Ayumi Tanaka Doshisha University Masanori Tanaka Hokkai‐Gakuen University Junichi Taniguchi Tezukayama University Namiji Tokunaga Ehime Prefectural University of Health Sciences Ryozo Tomita Musashino University Yumiko Ueda Asahi University Tomomi Yamashita Jumonji University Kazuho Yamaura Ritsumeikan University Masao Yogo Doshisha University Kenji Yokotani Tokushima University Ayano Yoshida Tohoku Fukushi University Hiroaki Yoshida Shinshu University Katsue Yoshihara Fukuoka Institute of Technology Junior College Ayumi Yoshikawa Osaka Dental University Faculty of Nursing Kuniaki Yanagisawa Kobe University Ken'ichiro Nakashima Hiroshima University As a countermeasure to the increased loneliness induced by the COVID-19 pandemic-related university closures, universities provided students with online interaction opportunities. However, whether these opportunities contributed to reducing loneliness during the university closures remains unclear, as previous studies have produced contradictory findings. We conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey. Data were collected on demographics, social environment, social support, interactions, health and loneliness from 4949 students from 60 universities across Japan. We used psychological network and Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) to examine the effect of online interactions on loneliness during university closures during COVID-19. The results showed that the frequency of online interactions with friends did not exert a significant influence on loneliness during university closures. A comparative examination of the DAGs further illuminated that the social environment exhibited fewer pathways for interpersonal interactions and social support during these closure periods. The psychosocial pathways influencing young adults' loneliness show variations contingent on the university's closure status. Notably, the impact of heightened online interactions with friends on loneliness appears to be less pronounced among young adults in the context of university closure. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Fuji Technology Press Ltd. Acta Medica Okayama 1883-8022 19 5 2025 Study on an Effective Coolant Supply Method in the Side Plunge Grinding Process 939 948 EN Lingxiao Gao Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Taichi Fujimoto Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hiroyuki Kodama Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kazuhito Ohashi Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Grinding is widely used for finishing components with journal and thrust surfaces, such as crankshafts. Side-plunge grinding enables the simultaneous finishing of thrust and cylindrical surfaces in a single plunge. However, compared to cylindrical grinding, it involves a larger contact area between the grinding wheel and the workpiece, leading to increased heat generation. In particular, poor coolant penetration near internal corners can degrade surface quality, potentially causing stress concentrations and cracks. To enhance coolant effectiveness in side-plunge grinding, this study installs a high-pressure nozzle that supplies coolant from the side of the grinding wheel. The effectiveness of this setup is experimentally verified. Additionally, the distribution of coolant flow within the contact area between the grinding wheel and the workpiece is measured to determine the optimal nozzle position for efficient coolant delivery. The nozzle’s performance is evaluated by measuring the workpiece surface temperature using a wire/workpiece thermocouple, the amount of coolant discharged from the grinding wheel, and the residual stress distribution. The results show that coolant penetrates the grinding wheel and effectively reaches the grinding zone, enhancing the cooling effect. This study clarifies the relationship between effective coolant supply and the position of the side nozzle. Considering physical constraints, such as potential interference during grinding, the optimal nozzle location is as close as possible to both the edge of the grinding wheel and the workpiece. This positioning ensures maximum coolant delivery, reduces grinding temperature, and helps suppress drastic variations in residual stress. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2041-1723 16 1 2025 Fully-gapped superconductivity with rotational symmetry breaking in pressurized kagome metal CsV3Sb5 3643 EN X. Y. Feng Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics Z. Zhao Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics J. Luo Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics Y. Z. Zhou Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics J. Yang Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics A. F. Fang H. T. Yang Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics H.-J. Gao Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics R. Zhou Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BeijingNational Laboratory for CondensedMatter Physics Guo-qing Zheng Department of Physics, Okayama University The discovery of the kagome metal CsV3Sb5 has generated significant interest in its complex physical properties, particularly its superconducting behavior under different pressures, though its nature remains debated. Here, we performed low-temperature, high-pressure 121/123Sb nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) measurements to explore the superconducting pairing symmetry in CsV3Sb5. At ambient pressure, we found that the spin-lattice relaxation rate 1/T1 exhibits a kink at T ~ 0.4 Tc within the superconducting state and follows a T3 variation as temperature further decreases. This suggests the presence of two superconducting gaps with line nodes in the smaller one. As pressure increases beyond Pc ~ 1.85 GPa, where the charge-density wave phase is completely suppressed, 1/T1 shows no Hebel-Slichter peak just below Tc, and decreases rapidly, even faster than T5, indicating that the gap is fully opened for pressures above Pc. In this high pressure region, the angular dependence of the in-plane upper critical magnetic field Hc2 breaks the C6 rotational symmetry. We propose the s + id pairing at P > Pc which explains both the 1/T1 and Hc2 behaviors. Our findings indicate that CsV3Sb5 is an unconventional superconductor and its superconducting state is even more exotic at high pressures. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 0021-8901 2025 Urbanised landscape and microhabitat differences can influence flowering phenology and synchrony in an annual herb EN Hinata Fujiwara Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hiroto Yamaguchi Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kazuyoshi Nakata Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Koki R. Katsuhara Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University 1. Flowering phenology, a crucial determinant of plant reproductive success and biotic interactions, is susceptible to urbanisation. Numerous studies have shown the impact of urbanised landscapes on flowering phenology based on comparisons along urban–rural gradients. Phenological patterns among microenvironments in the urban ecosystem have received less attention, although they often offer unique habitats with varying artificial influences, such as roadsides, drainage ditches and vacant lots. If differences in microenvironments diversify flowering phenology, the urban matrix might reduce flowering synchrony with neighbouring populations, limiting outcrossing opportunities and therefore reducing reproductive success.<br> 2. We investigated the flowering phenology and synchrony of the native annual herb Commelina communis in approximately 250 populations at two rural and two urban sites over 3 years. To determine the effect of microhabitat differences, we categorised the microhabitats of C. communis populations into five types: drains, roadsides, vacant land, farmland and forest edge. In some study populations, we investigated reproductive success (seed set) to estimate the degree of outcross pollination limitation.<br> 3. Our findings revealed that populations in urban sites exhibited earlier flowering onset and longer flowering duration compared to rural locations. Besides, we did not detect consistent patterns of flowering onset, peak and duration among the different microhabitat types. For flowering synchrony, we found that the population in urban sites, growing in drain habitats, and with artificial disturbances exhibited relatively lower interpopulation flowering synchrony, suggesting their phenology differed from neighbouring populations within the same landscape. Additionally, populations in urban sites, especially those growing in drain and roadside habitats, suffered severe outcross pollen limitation compared to those in rural landscapes.<br> 4. Synthesis and applications. In conclusion, our results indicate that in addition to landscape changes associated with urbanisation, variations in local microhabitats also influence the flowering phenology and synchrony of C. communis populations. Urbanised landscapes and differences in microhabitats could contribute to the diversification of phenological patterns between populations, potentially having a negative impact on the reproductive success of native plant species. These findings highlight the need to consider not only spatial but also temporal fragmentation from diversified flowering phenology when addressing conservation in the urban matrix. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Ceramic Society of Japan Acta Medica Okayama 1348-6535 133 1 2025 Comparative study of the effects of fluoride treatment with cyclic variations in pH on the structures of stoichiometric, calcium-deficient, and carbonated hydroxyapatites 15 24 EN Satoshi Hayakawa Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Yu Okada Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Tomohiko Yoshioka Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University The primary objective of this study was to analyze the effects of fluoride treatment with cyclic variations in pH on the structure of stoichiometric hydroxyapatite (HAp), calcium-deficient HAp (CDHAp), and carbonated HAp (CHAp) powders. The structures of HAp, CDHAp, and CHAp before and after fluoride treatment were investigated using X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared, Raman, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic analyses. The fluoride treatment with cyclic variations in pH increased the calcium deficiency in HAp and CHAp but decreased in CDHAp. During fluoride treatment, fluoridated CDHAp or fluoridated calcium-deficient CHAp was formed on the surface of the HAp samples via dissolution and crystal growth, accompanied by the selective elution of component ions and partial substitution of OH− groups in the HAp hexagonal lattice with F− ions. No evidence of the formation of Ca(OH)2 and OH− groups outside the HAp crystal lattice was obtained. A new perspective on the formation of structured water at the surface termination of the OH columns (disordered region), with possible interactions with adsorbed water molecules or nonspecifically adsorbed F− ions was provided. The top surface of the fluoridated CDHAp consisted of an amorphous fluoride-rich hydrated layer, which included calcium phosphate and CaF2. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0016-7037 400 2025 Lithium- and oxygen-isotope compositions of a Si-rich nebular reservoir determined from chondrule constituents in the Sahara 97103 EH3 chondrite 51 71 EN Torii Douglas-Song The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Tsutomu Ota The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Masahiro Yamanaka The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Hiroshi Kitagawa The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Ryoji Tanaka The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Christian Potiszil The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Tak Kunihiro The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Here we report the in situ ion-microprobe analyses of the Li- and O-isotope compositions of enstatite, FeO-rich pyroxene, olivine, glass, and cristobalite grains from six chondrule-related objects from the Sahara 97103 EH3 chondrite. The O-isotope composition of the enstatite grains scattered around the intersection between the terrestrial fractionation and primitive chondrule minerals lines. Whereas, that of olivine varied along the primitive chondrule minerals line. Based on the mineralogy, we found cristobalite formed as a result of Si saturation, instead of the reduction of FeO-rich silicates, consistent with Si-enrichment of whole rock enstatite chondrites. Based on the mineralogy and O-isotope compositions, we infer that olivines in some chondrules are relict grains. In chondrules that contained olivine, no abundant niningerite [(Mg,Fe,Mn)S] was observed. Thus, enstatite formation can be explained by the interaction of an olivine precursor with additional SiO2 (Mg2SiO4 + SiO2 → Mg2Si2O6), instead of sulfidation (Mg2SiO4 + S → 1/2 Mg2Si2O6 + MgS + 1/2 O2). Using the equation Mg2SiO4 + SiO2 → Mg2Si2O6 and the O-isotope compositions of enstatite and olivine, the O-isotope composition of the additional SiO2 was estimated. Based on the O-isotope composition, we infer that there could be a Si-rich gas with an elevated Δ17O value similar to, or greater than the second trend line (Δ17O = 0.9 ‰) suggested by Weisberg et al. (2021), during chondrule formation. The variation in the Li-isotope compositions of enstatite and olivine grains from EH3 chondrules is smaller than that for the same phases from CV3 chondrules. The variation in the Li-isotope compositions of the enstatite and olivine grains from EH3 chondrules is also smaller than that of their O-isotope compositions. During the recycling of enstatite-chondrite chondrules, both Li- and O-isotope compositions were homogenized. Although enstatite is the major carrier of Li in EH3 chondrules, the Li-isotope composition (δ7Li) of enstatite is lower than that of whole rock EH3 chondrites, suggesting the existence of a phase with higher δ7Li. Meanwhile, the Li-isotope composition and concentration (δ7Li, [Li]) of enstatite is higher than that of olivine. The Li-isotope composition of the Si-rich gas was estimated to be δ7Li = 1 ‰, using a similar mass-balance calculation as applied for the O-isotope composition. The Li-isotope composition of the Si-rich gas from the enstatite-chondrite-chondrule forming-region, is consistent with that of whole rock EH3 chondrites, and differs significantly from that of the Si-rich gas from the carbonaceous-chondrite-chondrule forming-region (δ7Li = −11 ‰) determined by a previous study. We speculate that the Si-rich gas in the carbonaceous-chondrite-chondrule forming-region maintained the Li-isotope heterogeneity inherited from light lithium synthesized by galactic cosmic-ray spallation in the interstellar medium. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) Acta Medica Okayama 1600-5775 32 5 2025 X-ray fluorescence holography under high-pressure conditions 1302 1309 EN Xinhui Zhan Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University Naoki Ishimatsu Geodynamics Research Center, PIAS, Ehime University Koji Kimura Department of Physical Science and Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology Naohisa Happo Graduate School of Information Sciences, Hiroshima City University Halubai Sekhar Institute of Industrial Nanomaterials, Kumamoto University Tomoko Sato Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, KEK Nobuo Nakajima Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University Naomi Kawamura Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, SPring-8 Kotaro Higashi Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, SPring-8 Oki Sekizawa Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, SPring-8 Hirokazu Kadobayashi Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, SPring-8 Ritsuko Eguchi Graduate School of Science, University of Hyogo Yoshihiro Kubozono Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Hiroo Tajiri Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, SPring-8 Shinya Hosokawa Faculty of Materials for Energy, Shimane University Tomohiro Matsushita Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology Toru Shinmei Geodynamics Research Center, PIAS, Ehime University Tetsuo Irifune Geodynamics Research Center, PIAS, Ehime University Koichi Hayashi Department of Physical Science and Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology This study reports the first application of X-ray fluorescence holography (XFH) under high-pressure conditions. We integrated XFH with a diamond anvil cell to investigate the local structure around Sr atoms in single-crystal SrTiO3 under high pressure. By utilizing nano-polycrystalline diamond anvils and a yttrium filter, we effectively eliminated significant background noise from both the anvils and the gasket. This optimized experimental configuration enabled the measurement of Sr Kα holograms of the SrTiO3 sample at pressures up to 13.3 GPa. The variation of lattice constants with pressure was calculated by the shifts of Kossel lines, and real-space images of the atomic structures were reconstructed from the Sr Kα holograms at different pressures. This work successfully demonstrates the feasibility of employing XFH under high-pressure conditions as a novel method for visualizing pressure-induced changes in the three-dimensional local structure around the specified element. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 0020-7594 60 4 2025 When Confidence in Institutions Backfires: Power‐Distance Orientation Moderates the Relationship Between Institutional Trust and Civic Honesty Across Eight Countries e70059 EN Silvana D'Ottone School of Psychology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Giovanni A. Travaglino Institute for the Study of Power, Crime and Society, Department of Law and Criminology, Royal Holloway University of London Pascal Burgmer School of Psychology, University of Southampton Isabella Giammusso Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo Hirotaka Imada Institute for the Study of Power, Crime and Society, Department of Law and Criminology, Royal Holloway University of London Yanhui Mao Institute of Applied Psychology, Psychological Research and Counseling Center, Southwest Jiaotong University Alberto Mirisola Department of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo Chanki Moon Institute for the Study of Power, Crime and Society, Department of Law and Criminology, Royal Holloway University of London Kengo Nawata Faculty of Humanities, Fukuoka University Miki Ozeki Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Okayama University Confidence in institutions is a key predictor of civic honesty, yet evidence shows that this relationship varies across contexts and individuals. This study examined whether power-distance orientation (PDO)―the extent to which individuals accept hierarchical power relations―moderates this association. High-PDO individuals tend to view institutional authorities as entitled to privilege, inclined to engage in patronage relationships and potentially corrupt. We hypothesised that for individuals high in PDO, confidence in institutions could backfire and be linked to the rejection of civic honesty. Using data from 2088 participants across eight countries, we found support for this hypothesis. Specifically, the positive link between institutional confidence and civic honesty was reversed among those who strongly endorse PDO. These findings suggest that individual-level variation in the link between confidence in institutions and civic honesty partly reflects broader beliefs about authorities. We discuss implications of this interaction and outline directions for future research. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japan Surgical Society Acta Medica Okayama 2198-7793 11 1 2025 Obese Patient with Gastric Diverticulum Undergoing Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Guided by Preoperative Endoscopic Measurement: A Case Report and Literature Review cr.25-0141 EN Kensuke Hirosuna Center for Graduate Medical Education, Okayama University Hospital Hajime Kashima Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ryohei Shoji Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuki Matsumi Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshihiko Kakiuchi Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Satoru Kikuchi Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shinji Kuroda Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Fuminori Teraishi Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shunsuke Kagawa Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Toshiyoshi Fujiwara Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences INTRODUCTION: Gastric diverticulum is a rare condition, often asymptomatic and incidentally detected. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a widely performed bariatric procedure, but a gastric diverticulum complicates surgical planning. In this case, careful preoperative assessment allowed safe execution of LSG despite the diverticulum’s proximity to the esophagogastric junction.<br> CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old woman (BMI: 46.8 kg/m2) with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and glucose intolerance was referred for bariatric surgery after unsuccessful weight loss with conservative management. Preoperative endoscopy revealed an 18 × 14 mm gastric diverticulum on the posterior wall of the gastric fundus, 40 mm from the esophagogastric junction. LSG was performed using a surgical stapler, ensuring complete diverticulum resection while preserving gastric tube integrity. The surgery was uneventful, with minimal blood loss and a duration of 2 hours and 52 minutes. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged on day 9. Her BMI decreased to 39.3 kg/m2 at the 1-year follow-up, with improved metabolic parameters.<br> CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the importance of thorough preoperative evaluation when performing LSG in patients with gastric diverticulum. Accurate endoscopic measurement of the diverticulum’s location aids in determining the optimal resection line, ensuring surgical safety and efficacy. Surgeons should remain vigilant when encountering such anatomical variations to optimize outcomes in bariatric surgery. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Acta Medica Okayama 0918-2918 64 15 2025 Clinical and Genetic Analyses of SPG7 in Japanese Patients with Undiagnosed Ataxia 2290 2294 EN Akihiko Mitsutake Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Takashi Matsukawa Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Rimi Hino Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Go Fujino Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Yuto Sakai Department of Neurology, International University of Health and Welfare Mita Hospital Jun Mitsui Department of Precision Medicine Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hiroyuki Ishiura Department of Neurology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Nobue K. Iwata Department of Neurology, International University of Health and Welfare Mita Hospital Shoji Tsuji Department of Precision Medicine Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Tatsushi Toda Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Objective Spastic paraplegia 7 (SPG7) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in SPG7. It is predominantly characterized by adult-onset slowly progressive spastic paraparesis. While SPG7 presenting with ataxia with or without spasticity is relatively common in Europe and North America, it is considered rare in Japan. This study aimed to identify SPG7 patients among those with undiagnosed ataxia within the Japanese population.<br> Methods We retrospectively selected 351 patients with undiagnosed ataxia, excluding those with secondary and common spinocerebellar ataxia. Whole-exome sequence analysis was conducted, and homozygosity of the identified variants was confirmed using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR).<br> Results Among the 351 patients, 2 were diagnosed with SPG7, and homozygosity was confirmed by ddPCR. Both patients carried homozygous pathogenic variants in SPG7: c.1948G>A, p.Asp650Asn, and c.1192C>T, p.Arg398Ter (NM_003119.4). Clinically, both patients presented with progressive ataxia. In addition, Patient 1 exhibited partial ophthalmoplegia and spastic paraparesis, whereas Patient 2 demonstrated cerebellar ataxia without spasticity.<br> Conclusion The rarity of SPG7 in Japan may be attributed to variation in the minor allele frequency of the c.1529C>T, p.Ala510Val variant, which is more prevalent in Europe and North America than in other areas. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Geophysical Union (AGU) Acta Medica Okayama 0094-8276 52 14 2025 Unraveling the Complex Features of the Seismic Scatterers in the Mid‐Lower Mantle Through Phase Transition of (Al, H)‐Bearing Stishovite e2024GL114146 EN Yingxin Yu Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Youyue Zhang Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Luo Li Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Xinyue Zhang Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Denglei Wang Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Zhu Mao Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Ningyu Sun Deep Space Exploration Laboratory, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Yanyao Zhang Earth and Planetary Sciences, Stanford University Xinyang Li State Key Laboratory of High Pressure and Superhard Materials, College of Physics, Jilin University Wancai Li CAS Key Laboratory of Crust‐Mantle Materials and Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Sergio Speziale GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences Dongzhou Zhang GeoSoilEnviroCARS, University of Chicago Jung‐Fu Lin Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Jackson School of Geosciences, The University of Texas at Austin Takashi Yoshino Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Small-scale scatterers observed in the mid-lower mantle beneath the subduction zones are thought to result from the phase transition of stishovite within subducted oceanic crusts. Here we investigate the phase transition of (Al, H)-bearing stishovite with four compositions at simultaneously high P-T conditions combining Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. These experimental results reveal that the incorporation of 0.01 a.p.f.u Al into stishovite with H/Al ratio of ∼1/3 lowers the transition pressure by 6.7(3) GPa. However, the Clapeyron slope of this transition is nearly unaffected by changes in the Al content and has a value of 12.2–12.5(3) MPa/K. According to our results, Al content variation ranging from 0 to 0.07 a.p.f.u in SiO2 can reasonably explain the depth distribution from 800 to 1,900 km of the seismic scatterers observed in the circum-Pacific region. These results deepen our understanding on the complex features of mid-lower mantle seismic scatterers and corresponding dynamic processes. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press (OUP) Acta Medica Okayama 1040-4651 37 7 2025 Pancentromere analysis of Allium species reveals diverse centromere positions in onion and gigantic centromeres in garlic koaf142 EN Kiyotaka Nagaki Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Koichiro Ushijima Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Takashi Akagi Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Keisuke Tanaka NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture Hisato Kobayashi NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture In eukaryotes, centromeres interact with the kinetochore for distribution of genetic information in cell division, yet their sequence and size are diverse among species. However, their position on chromosomes is considered to be conserved within a species. In this study, we analyzed the centromeres of 3 Allium species, namely, Welsh onion (Allium fistulosum), onion (Allium cepa), and garlic (Allium sativum) via pancentromere analysis and repetitive sequence analysis of centromeres and their neighborhoods and revealed their mobility, sequence organization, and size. Among the 3 species, Welsh onion and garlic had stable centromeres, but the onion centromere appeared to be polymorphic and frequently differed in position by up to 28.0 Mb among cultivars and between multiple individuals of the same cultivar. This mobility was stabilized by hybridization with Welsh onions. Furthermore, these 3 species have very different centromere sequence organization, including differences in the existence and maturity of centromeric satellites, and differences in centromere size, with Welsh onion having a centromere of 1.9 Mb, and garlic having a centromere of ∼10.6 Mb, the largest of any organism with monocentric chromosomes analyzed to date. Our pancentromere analysis of these Allium species reveals the variation in sequence organization, size, and position of this important chromosomal region. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2662-4729 2025 Impact of differences in computed tomography value-electron density/physical density conversion tables on calculate dose in low-density areas EN Mia Nomura Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama University Shunsuke Goto Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Mizuki Yoshioka Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama University Yuiko Kato Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama University Ayaka Tsunoda Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama University Kunio Nishioka Department of Radiology, Tokuyama Central Hospital Yoshinori Tanabe Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University In radiotherapy treatment planning, the extrapolation of computed tomography (CT) values for low-density areas without known materials may differ between CT scanners, resulting in different calculated doses. We evaluated the differences in the percentage depth dose (PDD) calculated using eight CT scanners. Heterogeneous virtual phantoms were created using LN-300 lung and − 900 HU. For the two types of virtual phantoms, the PDD on the central axis was calculated using five energies, two irradiation field sizes, and two calculation algorithms (the anisotropic analytical algorithm and Acuros XB). For the LN-300 lung, the maximum CT value difference between the eight CT scanners was 51 HU for an electron density (ED) of 0.29 and 8.8 HU for an extrapolated ED of 0.05. The LN-300 lung CT values showed little variation in the CT-ED/physical density data among CT scanners. The difference in the point depth for the PDD in the LN-300 lung between the CT scanners was < 0.5% for all energies and calculation algorithms. Using Acuros XB, the PDD at − 900 HU had a maximum difference between facilities of > 5%, and the dose difference corresponding to an LN-300 lung CT value difference of > 20 HU was > 1% at a field size of 2 × 2 cm2. The study findings suggest that the calculated dose of low-density regions without known materials in the CT-ED conversion table introduces a risk of dose differences between facilities because of the calibration of the CT values, even when the same CT-ED phantom radiation treatment planning and treatment devices are used. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0028-0836 637 8046 2025 Centrophilic retrotransposon integration via CENH3 chromatin in Arabidopsis 744 748 EN Sayuri Tsukahara Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tokyo Alexandros Bousios School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex Estela Perez-Roman School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex Sota Yamaguchi Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tokyo Basile Leduque Institute of Plant Sciences Paris‐Saclay (IPS2), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, Université Evry, Université Paris Aimi Nakano Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tokyo Matthew Naish Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge Akihisa Osakabe Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tokyo Atsushi Toyoda Center for Genetic Resource Information, National Institute of Genetics Hidetaka Ito Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University Alejandro Edera Institute of Plant Sciences Paris‐Saclay (IPS2), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, Université Evry, Université Paris Sayaka Tominaga Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tokyo Juliarni Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tokyo Kae Kato Department of Integrated Genetics, National Institute of Genetics Shoko Oda Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tokyo Soichi Inagaki Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tokyo Zdravko Lorković Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC) Kiyotaka Nagaki Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Frédéric Berger Gregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter (VBC) Akira Kawabe Faculty of Life Sciences, Kyoto Sangyo University Leandro Quadrana Institute of Plant Sciences Paris‐Saclay (IPS2), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, Université Evry, Université Paris Ian Henderson Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge Tetsuji Kakutani Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Tokyo In organisms ranging from vertebrates to plants, major components of centromeres are rapidly evolving repeat sequences, such as tandem repeats (TRs) and transposable elements (TEs), which harbour centromere-specific histone H3 (CENH3)1,2. Complete centromere structures recently determined in human and Arabidopsis suggest frequent integration and purging of retrotransposons within the TR regions of centromeres3,4,5. Despite the high impact of ‘centrophilic’ retrotransposons on the paradox of rapid centromere evolution, the mechanisms involved in centromere targeting remain poorly understood in any organism. Here we show that both Ty3 and Ty1 long terminal repeat retrotransposons rapidly turnover within the centromeric TRs of Arabidopsis species. We demonstrate that the Ty1/Copia element Tal1 (Transposon of Arabidopsis lyrata 1) integrates de novo into regions occupied by CENH3 in Arabidopsis thaliana, and that ectopic expansion of the CENH3 region results in spread of Tal1 integration regions. The integration spectra of chimeric TEs reveal the key structural variations responsible for contrasting chromatin-targeting specificities to centromeres versus gene-rich regions, which have recurrently converted during the evolution of these TEs. Our findings show the impact of centromeric chromatin on TE-mediated rapid centromere evolution, with relevance across eukaryotic genomes. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 2378-8038 10 1 2025 Short‐process incudo‐stapedioplasty in congenital ear malformation e70055 EN Ryotaro Omichi Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Shin Kariya Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School Akiko Sugaya Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Mizuo Ando Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Objectives: Although various stapedotomy and stapedectomy techniques exist, anchoring the piston can be challenging. We present a novel surgical approach for treating congenital stapes malformations with an atypical facial nerve trajectory.<br> Methods: This is a case of a 7-year-old boy presenting with bilateral conductive hearing loss. Prior attempts at tympanoplasty had proven unsuccessful in improving his hearing. Presurgical imaging studies revealed an unusual anatomical configuration, with the facial nerve positioned inferior to the oval window. This anatomical variation precluded the use of conventional prosthesis-anchoring techniques typically employed in stapedotomies. Thus, we devised an innovative approach, opting to anchor the prosthesis to the short process of the incus.<br> Results: This novel technique circumvented the atypical course of the facial nerve, allowing for successful reconstruction of the ossicular chain. The patient demonstrated an acceptable improvement (30 dB gain) in hearing 1-year post-surgery, with no reported complications.<br> Conclusion: This case underscores the critical importance of adapting surgical techniques to address the unique anatomical challenges that may arise in the context of congenital ear malformations. It also highlights the potential of the short process of the incus as a viable alternative anchoring site for stapes prostheses, thereby improving the outcomes of such complex cases. This technique not only restored the patient's hearing but also contributed valuable insights into the management of similar cases, potentially improving the quality of life for individuals with rare and challenging anatomical variations.<br> Level of evidence: 5. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Fuji Technology Press Ltd. Acta Medica Okayama 1883-8022 19 3 2025 Study on the Grinding Temperature of Workpiece in Side Plunge Grinding Process 337 345 EN Lingxiao Gao Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Motoki Kuida Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hiroyuki Kodama Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kazuhito Ohashi Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Grinding is used to finish thrust metal attachment parts, such as crankshafts, which have both journal and thrust surfaces. In side plunge grinding, a thrust surface and a cylindrical surface of a shaft workpiece with collars are finished in a single plunge grinding process. However, the surface quality near the ground internal corner, where grinding fluid may not penetrate, can deteriorate, causing high residual stress and cracks owing to grinding heat. While it has been reported that quality issues at the inner corners of the ground surface can be mitigated by reducing the grinding point temperature through efficient cooling fluid supply, the mechanisms of grinding phenomena and heat generation in side plunge grinding are not yet fully understood. In this study, the variations in the grinding temperature at the thrust surface of a workpiece with a collar were experimentally investigated using a wire/workpiece thermocouple to clarify these phenomena. The results revealed a significant increase in the grinding temperature at the corners of the grinding zone. However, it slightly decreases as the thermocouple output approaches the center of the workpiece, indicating a slight effect of the grinding speed. The surface temperature of the workpiece in side plunge grinding is primarily influenced by the wheel depth-of-cut in the thrust direction. Additionally, the effect of workpiece rotational speed and grinding infeed speed on temperature distribution has been demonstrated. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Chemical Society (ACS) Acta Medica Okayama 0743-7463 41 21 2025 Unraveling the Molecular Mechanism of Transient Multilamellar Formation in Ethanol-Modified Vesicle Solutions 13372 13380 EN Kana Shibata Department of Materials Chemistry, Nagoya University Masatoshi Maeki Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University Manabu Tokeshi Division of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University Wataru Shinoda Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University A recent microfluidic-based small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurement intriguingly suggested the transient formation of multilamellar structures during the mixing of unilamellar vesicles with ethanol in an aqueous solution. This study explores a possible molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon, primarily through coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CG-MD) simulations. We first examined lipid aggregate morphology as a function of ethanol concentration in an aqueous solution. Even though vesicles were observed in pure aqueous solution, increasing ethanol concentrations led to more frequent pore formation in vesicular membranes. At ethanol concentrations above 52%, vesicles destabilized and transformed into worm-like micelles. We hypothesized that the transient multilamellar structures might arise from vesicle stacking due to variations in the effective interactions between vesicles. However, a series of potential of mean force (PMF) calculations consistently showed repulsive interactions between vesicles, regardless of ethanol concentration, ruling out this possibility. In contrast, once lipid aggregates transformed into worm-like micelles, the PMF barrier between them dropped (∼5kBT), promoting fusion. Our CG-MD simulations further demonstrated that lipid aggregates (micelles) readily fused and grew in high ethanol concentrations. Upon subsequent exposure to lower ethanol levels, these enlarged aggregates reorganized into vesicles with internal lamellar structure─multilamellar vesicles. These findings suggest that the heterogeneous mixing of unilamellar vesicular solutions with ethanol in a microfluidic device plays a key role in the emergence of transient multilamellar structures. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2197-4284 12 1 2025 Stability and water solubility of calcium ferrite-type aluminum-rich phase: implications for deep water cycle caused by subducting basaltic crusts 32 EN Xinyue Zhang Deep Space Exploration Laboratory/School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Izumi Mashino Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Takayuki Ishii Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University The subducting crustal materials serve as a crucial channel for transporting water to the lower mantle. Recent experimental studies suggest that crustal materials such as basaltic crust can be a main water carrier and reservoir playing an important role on water cycling in the lower mantle. Despite being a primary mineral in crustal materials, the water solubility of calcium ferrite-type (CF) phase and its stability are unclear yet. A recent phase relation study of hydrous basalts showed Na-depletion in lower-mantle minerals, suggesting the presence of fluid possibly with high Na concentration and the absence of CF phase along the low-temperature slab geotherms, where Al-rich hydrous phase H and ferropericlase appear instead. These phases could consequently produce Na-depleted CF phase when reaching the dehydration temperature of Al-rich hydrous phase H. In this study, we investigated the stability and water solubility of CF-type MgAl2O4, which is a main CF component in a hydrous basalt, in water-bearing systems at 26–32 GPa and 1200–1900 °C using a Kawai-type multi-anvil press. Our results indicate that the stability of the CF phase is strongly influenced by water content in the system. Water contents of recovered CF phases estimated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy show a limited variation between 73 and 87 ppm wt at a pressure of 26 GPa and temperatures of 1500–1900 °C. We suggest that CF phase could not be a primary water carrier at lower mantle depths. This emphasizes contributions of hydrous aluminous silica minerals to Earth’s deep water cycling and heterogeneous structures in the lower mantle due to the strong water partitioning to this phase compared with other constituent minerals. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2054-345X 12 1 2025 In-frame deletion variant of ABCD1 in a sporadic case of adrenoleukodystrophy 5 EN Takashi Matsukawa Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Atsushi Sudo Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Toshiyuki Kakumoto Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Akihito Hao Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Mitsuhiro Kainaga Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hyangri Chang Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Tatsuo Mano Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hiroyuki Ishiura Department of Neurology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Jun Mitsui Department of Precision Medicine Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Toshihiro Hayashi Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Shinichi Morishita Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo Shoji Tsuji Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Tatsushi Toda Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), an X-linked leukodystrophy caused by pathogenic variants in ABCD1, exhibits a broad range of phenotypes from childhood-onset cerebral forms to adult-onset adrenomyeloneuropathy (AMN). We report a rare in-frame ABCD1 deletion c.1469_71delTGG (p.Val490del) in a man with AMN. Although this variant has been interpreted as ‘uncertain significance’ in ClinVar, biochemical analysis along with clinical evaluation confirmed the pathogenicity of this variant, underscoring the importance of functional assessment of in-frame deletions. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) Acta Medica Okayama 1600-5767 58 3 2025 Enhanced estimation method for partial scattering functions in contrast variation small-angle neutron scattering via Gaussian process regression with prior knowledge of smoothness 976 991 EN Ippei Obayashi Center for Artificial Intelligence and Mathematical Data Science, Okayama University Shinya Miyajima Faculty of Science and Engineering, Iwate University Kazuaki Tanaka Global Center for Science and Engineering, Waseda University Koichi Mayumi Institute for Solid State Physics, University of Tokyo Contrast variation small-angle neutron scattering (CV-SANS) is a powerful tool for evaluating the structure of multi-component systems. In CV-SANS, the scattering intensities I(Q) measured with different scattering contrasts are de­com­posed into partial scattering functions S(Q) of the self- and cross-correlations between components. Since the measurement has a measurement error, S(Q) must be estimated statistically from I(Q). If no prior knowledge about S(Q) is available, the least-squares method is best, and this is the most popular estimation method. However, if prior knowledge is available, the estimation can be improved using Bayesian inference in a statistically authorized way. In this paper, we propose a novel method to improve the estimation of S(Q), based on Gaussian process regression using prior knowledge about the smoothness and flatness of S(Q). We demonstrate the method using synthetic core–shell and experimental polyrotaxane SANS data. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Korean Association of Anatomists Acta Medica Okayama 2093-3665 2025 The maxillary vein: an anatomical narrative review with clinical implications for oral and maxillofacial surgeons EN Kazzara Raeburn Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George’s University Yohei Takeshita Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hiroaki Takakura Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Shogo Kikuta Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine Yuki Kunisada Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Soichiro Ibaragi Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Rarinthorn Samrid Marios Loukas Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George’s University R. Shane Tubbs Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George’s University Joe Iwanaga Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine The maxillary vein, despite its clinical significance, remains underexplored in anatomical literature. It plays a crucial role in venous drainage of the maxillofacial region and is closely associated with surgical procedures such as sagittal split ramus osteotomy, mandibuloplasty, and condylar or parotid surgeries. Due to its variable anatomy and proximity to critical structures, the maxillary vein poses a risk of significant hemorrhage if injured. Its small size and deep location make preoperative identification challenging, especially without contrast-enhanced imaging. Embryologically, the maxillary vein originates from the primitive maxillary vein and develops through complex anastomoses with other craniofacial veins. Anatomical studies have revealed several variations, including the presence of accessory mandibular foramina and unusual venous connections, which may increase surgical risk. Understanding the detailed anatomy and potential variations of the maxillary vein is essential for minimizing complications and improving surgical outcomes. Despite its importance, more anatomical and clinical research is needed to better define its course, variations, and implications in oral and maxillofacial surgery. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

BMC Acta Medica Okayama 1472-6831 25 1 2025 Exploring the relationship between posture-dependent airway assessment in orthodontics: insights from kinetic MRI, cephalometric data, and three-dimensional MRI analysis 745 EN Naoki Oka Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Janvier Habumugisha Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masahiro Nakamura Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tomoki Kataoka Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Tottori University Atsuro Fujisawa Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Noriaki Kawanabe Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takashi Izawa Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hiroshi Kamioka Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Background Previous studies have assessed the upper airway using various examination methods, such as cephalometric imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, there is a significant gap in the research regarding the relationship between these different imaging modalities. This study compares airway assessments using kinetic MRI and cephalometric scans, examining their correlation with three dimensional (3D) MRI data.<br> Materials and methods Kinetic MRI, cephalometric scans, and 3D MRI of forty-seven participants were used in the present study. Airway areas and widths were measured at the retropalatal, retroglossal, and hypopharyngeal levels in both kinetic MRI and cephalometric scans. Airway volumes were calculated from 3D MRI data. Statistical analyses, including the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, Spearman correlation, and multiple linear regression, were performed to evaluate the data and identify significant differences, correlations, and prediction models, respectively.<br> Results Significant differences were found between kinetic MRI and cephalometric scans. Cephalometric data showed larger airway areas and widths compared to kinetic MRI measurements. Although both cephalometric and kinetic MRI showed a correlation with 3D MRI, kinetic MRI demonstrated stronger correlations with 3D MRI airway volumes than cephalometric scans. According to our linear regression model equations, RPA-Max (maximum retropalatal airway area) and RPA (retropalatal airway area) can elucidate variations in RPV (retropalatal airway volume). RGA-Med (median retroglossal airway area) and RGA-Min (minimum retroglossal airway area) can explain variations in RGV (retroglossal airway volume). HPA (hypopharyngeal airway area) and ULHPAW-Max (maximum upper limit hypopharyngeal airway width) account for variations in HPV (hypopharyngeal airway volume). Additionally, TA-Max (maximum total airway area) can account for variations in TPV (total pharyngeal airway volume).ConclusionBoth cephalometric data and kinetic MRI data showed correlations with 3D MRI data. The shared posture of kinetic MRI and 3D MRI led to stronger correlations between these two modalities. Although cephalometric data had fewer correlations with 3D MRI and predictors for 3D airway volume, they were still significant. Our study highlights the complementary nature of kinetic MRI and cephalometric imaging, as both provide valuable information for airway assessment and exhibit significant correlations with 3D MRI data. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Association for the Advancement of Science Acta Medica Okayama 2375-2548 11 20 2025 Structure of a photosystem I supercomplex from Galdieria sulphuraria close to an ancestral red alga eadv7488 EN Koji Kato Research institute for interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of environ-mental, life, natural Science and technology, Okayama University Minoru Kumazawa Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Yoshiki Nakajima Research institute for interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of environ-mental, life, natural Science and technology, Okayama University Takehiro Suzuki Biomolecular characterization Unit, RiKen center for Sustainable Resource Science Naoshi Dohmae Biomolecular characterization Unit, RiKen center for Sustainable Resource Science Jian-Ren Shen Research institute for interdisciplinary Science and Graduate School of environ-mental, life, natural Science and technology, Okayama University Kentaro Ifuku Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Ryo Nagao Faculty of Agriculture, Shizuoka University Red algae exhibit unique photosynthetic adaptations, characterized by photosystem I (PSI) supercomplexes containing light-harvesting complexes (LHCs), forming PSI-LHCI supercomplexes. In this study, we solved the PSI-LHCI structure of Galdieria sulphuraria NIES-3638 at 2.19-angstrom resolution using cryo-electron microscopy, revealing a PSI monomer core associated with seven LHCI subunits. Structural analysis uncovered the absence of phylloquinones, the common secondary electron acceptor in PSI of photosynthetic organisms, suggesting adaptation to a benzoquinone-like molecule. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that G. sulphuraria retains traits characteristic of an ancestral red alga, including distinctive LHCI binding and interaction patterns. Variations in LHCI composition and interactions across red algae, particularly in red-lineage chlorophyll a/b-binding-like protein and red algal LHCs, highlight evolutionary divergence and specialization. These findings not only deepen our understanding of red algal PSI-LHCI diversification but also enable us to predict features of an ancestral red algal PSI-LHCI supercomplex, providing a framework to explore evolutionary adaptations from an ancestral red alga. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 1996-1944 18 9 2025 Initial Bonding Performance to CAD/CAM Restorative Materials: The Impact of Stepwise Concentration Variation in 8-Methacryloxyoctyl Trimethoxy Silane and 3-Methacryloxypropyl Trimethoxy Silane on Feldspathic Ceramic, Lithium Disilicate Glass-Ceramic, and Polymer-Infiltrated Ceramic 1983 EN Yukinori Maruo Department of Prosthodontics, Okayama University Miho Kuwahara Department of Occlusal and Oral Functional Rehabilitation, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kumiko Yoshihara Health Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Masao Irie Department of Biomaterials, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Noriyuki Nagaoka Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Okayama University Dental School Mai Yoshizane Department of Occlusal and Oral Functional Rehabilitation, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takuya Matsumoto Department of Biomaterials, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kentaro Akiyama Department of Occlusal and Oral Functional Rehabilitation, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences This study investigated the effects of varying concentrations of two distinct silane agents, 8-methacryloxyoctyl trimethoxy silane (8-MOTS) and 3-methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (γ-MPTS), on their initial bonding efficacy to feldspathic ceramic (FC), lithium disilicate glass-ceramic (LD) and polymer-infiltrated ceramic (PIC) specimens, in 10% increments for concentrations ranging from 10% to 40%. Shear bond strengths between the ceramic substrates and the luting material were assessed following 24 h incubation in distilled water. For FC, the median value of shear bond strength peaked at 20% of γ-MPTS (7.4 MPa), while 8-MOTS exhibited a concentration-dependent increase, reaching its highest value at 40% (13.1 MPa). For LD, γ-MPTS above 10% yielded similar strength median values (10.2 MPa), whereas 8-MOTS at 30% (15.8 MPa) and 40% (13.4 MPa) yielded higher strength values than at 10% (2.9 MPa) and 20% (4.1 MPa), with the highest median value exhibited at 30%. For PIC, both γ-MPTS and 8-MOTS demonstrated similarly low bond strength values which were not significantly different from the non-silane-treated specimens. When applied on silica-based FC and LD, silane revealed a concentration-dependent bonding effect, with 8-MOTS exhibiting superior bond strength to γ-MPTS. However, PIC, characterized by a high inorganic filler content, demonstrated limited bondability with both silanes. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山医学会 Acta Medica Okayama 0030-1558 137 1 2025 若手・中堅耳鼻咽喉科医師の臨床研究に対する質問紙調査 20 24 EN Kensuke Uraguchi Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takashi Yorifuji Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Soshi Takao Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Akiko Sugaya Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Mizuo Ando Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University 　Introduction : Clinical research is crucial for the advancement of medicine, but modern otolaryngologists' attitudes regarding clinical research have not been known. This study was conducted to survey the background, knowledge, and interest in clinical research among junior and mid-career otolaryngologists.<br> 　Methods : A questionnaire survey was distributed to 34 otolaryngologists with ≤15 years' clinical experience working at Okayama University and its affiliated facilities. The respondents were divided into junior (non-specialists) and mid-career otolaryngologists (specialists) based on whether they were board-certified otolaryngologists. The survey assessed their background, understanding, and interest in clinical research.<br> 　Results : Twenty-nine otolaryngologists (83%) responded (10 junior and 19 mid-career otolaryngologists). There was significant individual variation in their interest and knowledge of clinical research. However, approximately half of the respondents indicated that they were not interested in and/or had never engaged in clinical research.<br> 　Conclusion : The data collected by this survey contribute to our understanding of the current state of clinical research engagement among junior and mid-career otolaryngologists, and they can serve as a basis for exploring future strategies to increase this engagement. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 2045-7634 14 8 2025 Genomic Differences and Distinct TP53 Mutation Site-Linked Chemosensitivity in Early- and Late-Onset Gastric Cancer e70793 EN Tomohiro Kamio Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yoshiyasu Kono Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kensuke Hirosuna Department of Regenerative Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Toshiki Ozato Department of Gastroenterology, Okayama University Hospital Hideki Yamamoto Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Akira Hirasawa Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Daisuke Ennishi Center for Comprehensive Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Shuta Tomida Center for Comprehensive Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Shinichi Toyooka Center for Comprehensive Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Motoyuki Otsuka Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Background: Gastric cancer (GC) in younger patients often exhibits aggressive behavior and a poorer prognosis than that in older patients. Although the clinical differences may stem from oncogenic gene variations, it is unclear whether genetic differences exist between these groups. This study compared the genetic profiles of early- and late-onset GC and evaluated their impact on treatment outcomes.<br> Methods: We analyzed genetic data from 1284 patients with GC in the Japanese nationwide Center for Cancer Genomics and Advanced Therapeutics (C-CAT) database, comparing early-onset (<= 39 years; n = 143) and late-onset (>= 65 years; n = 1141) groups. The influence of TP53 mutations on the time to treatment failure (TTF) with platinum-based chemotherapy and the sensitivity of cancer cells with different TP53 mutation sites to oxaliplatin were assessed in vitro.<br> Results: Early- and late-onset GC showed distinct genetic profiles, with fewer neoantigen-associated genetic changes observed in early-onset cases. In particular, TP53 has distinct mutation sites; R175H and R273 mutations are more frequent in early- and late-onset GC, respectively. The R175H mutation showed higher sensitivity to oxaliplatin in vitro, consistent with the longer TTF in early-onset patients (17.3 vs. 7.0 months, p = 0.013) when focusing on the patients with TP53 mutations.<br> Conclusion: Genomic differences, particularly in TP53 mutation sites, between early- and late-onset GC support the need for age-specific treatment strategies. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 2075-4418 15 6 2025 Robustness of Machine Learning Predictions for Determining Whether Deep Inspiration Breath-Hold Is Required in Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy 668 EN Wlla E. Al-Hammad Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masahiro Kuroda Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Jamal, Ghaida Al Jamal Department of Oral Medicine and Oral Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology Mamiko Fujikura Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Ryo Kamizaki Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Kazuhiro Kuroda Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Suzuka Yoshida Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yoshihide Nakamura Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masataka Oita Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Yoshinori Tanabe Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Kohei Sugimoto Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Irfan Sugianto Department of Oral Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Hasanuddin University Majd Barham Department of Dentistry and Dental Surgery, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University Nouha Tekiki Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Miki Hisatomi Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Junichi Asaumi Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Background/Objectives: Deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) is a commonly used technique to reduce the mean heart dose (MHD), which is critical for minimizing late cardiac side effects in breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT). Although previous studies have explored the potential of machine learning (ML) to predict which patients might benefit from DIBH, none have rigorously assessed ML model performance across various MHD thresholds and parameter settings. This study aims to evaluate the robustness of ML models in predicting the need for DIBH across different clinical scenarios. Methods: Using data from 207 breast cancer patients treated with RT, we developed and tested ML models at three MHD cut-off values (240, 270, and 300 cGy), considering variations in the number of independent variables (three vs. six) and folds in the cross-validation (three, four, and five). Robustness was defined as achieving high F2 scores and low instability in predictive performance. Results: Our findings indicate that the decision tree (DT) model demonstrated consistently high robustness at 240 and 270 cGy, while the random forest model performed optimally at 300 cGy. At 240 cGy, a threshold critical to minimize late cardiac risks, the DT model exhibited stable predictive power, reducing the risk of overestimating DIBH necessity. Conclusions: These results suggest that the DT model, particularly at lower MHD thresholds, may be the most reliable for clinical applications. By providing a tool for targeted DIBH implementation, this model has the potential to enhance patient-specific treatment planning and improve clinical outcomes in RT. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学教育学部 Acta Medica Okayama 0471-4008 88 1991 地方都市における町内会の類型 ――岡山市の事例―― 11 27 EN MASAO NOBE 10.18926/bgeou/68587 No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学大学院社会文化科学研究科 Acta Medica Okayama 1881-1671 59 2025 The Impact of Free Government Healthcare Insurance on The Utilization of Healthcare Services in Vietnam 101 122 EN Do Thi Hoai Giang 10.18926/68543 　This study investigates the impact of the Free Government Healthcare Insurance (FGHI) scheme on healthcare utilization patterns among enrolled households. Utilizing Tobit regression and Nearest Neighbor Matching (NNM), the analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between scheme enrollment and increased healthcare checkup frequency. However, demographic and geographic variations were evident in the scheme's impact, with ethnic minorities and rural households experiencing a more pronounced rise in healthcare visits compared to the majority group and urban residents. These findings underscore the necessity for tailored policy interventions to address disparities across diverse demographic and geographic strata. Moreover, the FGHI scheme demonstrated effectiveness in encouraging healthcare utilization, particularly among specific demographic groups. This study's insights advocate for more nuanced policy frameworks that consider demographic and geographic nuances, ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for all segments of society. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japan Society of Hydrology and Water Resources Acta Medica Okayama 1882-3416 19 1 2025 Evaluation of the temporal behavior of fulvic acid iron in Asahi River, Okayama, Japan 36 43 EN Rohdof Lactem Yengeh Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Hiroaki Somura Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Toshitsugu Moroizumi Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Yasushi Mori Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Morihiro Maeda Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Iron is essential for biogeochemical processes in aquatic ecosystems, but its riverine concentration can be affected by environmental conditions. This study assessed weekly fulvic acid iron (FAFe) concentration at a single sampling site in Asahi River from 2022–2023 to explore the differences in the temporal scales. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of physicochemical properties of the river on the concentration of FAFe, analyze the concentration of FAFe in spring, summer, autumn and winter, and assess the relationship between FAFe concentration and land use types of the watershed. The results indicated that physicochemical parameters, such as pH and surface water temperature (SWT) seemed to influence FAFe concentration (p < 0.05). Hydrological dynamics influenced FAFe concentration and transport, revealing an increasing trend during spring (p < 0.001) and summer (p = 0.05), with non-significant trends during autumn and winter (p > 0.05). FAFe exhibited a strong positive correlation with total organic carbon (TOC) (p < 0.001). Upland fields significantly influenced FAFe concentration (p < 0.01) through runoff with abundant NO3– and PO43– into the river. Thus, FAFe concentration in Asahi River was influenced by pH, SWT, TOC, hydrological regime, and agricultural runoff. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Acta Medica Okayama 1881-3054 19 1 2025 Development of tool life prediction system for square end-mills based on database of servo motor current value JAMDSM0001 EN Hiroyuki KODAMA Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Makoto SUZUKI Graduate school of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kazuhito OHASHI Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Accurate prediction of tool life is crucial for reducing production costs and enhancing quality in the machining process. However, such predictions often rely on empirical knowledge, which may limit inexperienced engineers to reliably obtain accurate predictions. This study explores a method to predict the tool life of a cutting machine using servo motor current data collected during the initial stages of tool wear, which is a cost-effective approach. The LightGBM model was identified as suitable for predicting tool life from current data, given the challenges associated with predicting from the average variation of current values. By identifying and utilizing the top 50 features from the current data for prediction, the accuracy of tool life prediction in the early wear stage improved. As this prediction method was developed based on current data obtained during the very early wear stage in experiments with square end-mills, it was tested on extrapolated data using different end-mill diameters. The findings revealed average accuracy rates of 71.2% and 69.4% when using maximum machining time and maximum removal volume as thresholds, respectively. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier Acta Medica Okayama 0016-7037 391 2025 Magnesium isotope composition of volcanic rocks from cold and warm subduction zones: Implications for the recycling of subducted serpentinites and carbonates 158 176 EN Wei Zhang The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Hiroshi Kitagawa The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Fang Huang CAS Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and Environments, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China Magnesium (Mg) isotopes are regarded as a sensitive tracer to the contribution from subducted serpentinites and carbonates. However, the source, distribution, and controlling factors of the Mg isotope composition of arc magmas remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the intra-arc and inter-arc variations in Mg isotope compositions of volcanic rocks from two typical cold subduction zones [NE Japan (NEJ) and Izu arcs] and a typical hot subduction zone [SW Japan (SWJ) arc] to address the question. The volcanic rocks from the frontal-arc regions of NEJ and Izu have isotopically heavy Mg (δ26Mg = –0.20 to –0.08 ‰) compared to the mantle-like δ26Mg values of most of volcanic rocks from SWJ and the rear regions of NEJ and Izu arcs (–0.28 to –0.17 ‰). It is also worth noting that NEJ arc includes samples with δ26Mg values (–0.61 to –0.39 ‰) significantly lower than the mantle, but similar to the < 110 Ma intra-continental basalts from eastern China, which is the first observation in modern arc rocks. No obvious effects of post-eruptive alteration, fractional crystallization, partial melting, or the addition of silicate-rich sediment and oceanic crust components could be identified in the Mg isotope compositions of these volcanic rocks. By contrast, the correlations between the δ26Mg values and the proxy for serpentinite component (i.e., 11B/10B and Nb/B ratios) indicate that the component exerts a strong control on the Mg-isotopic signature of these arc rocks. Considering metamorphic reactions in subduction lithologies under P-T conditions postulated for these arcs, the variations in δ26Mg values of these arc magmas are unlikely to have been controlled by dehydration of serpentinites in subducted oceanic lithosphere (slab serpentinite). Instead, the high-δ26Mg values of frontal-arc rocks are delivered by the fluids from serpentinite formed in the lowermost part of the sub-arc mantle (mantle wedge serpentinite) in channelized flow. Comparatively, such a high-δ26Mg signature is invisible in volcanic rocks from rear-arc regions of NEJ and Izu, and the entire SWJ, suggesting that the major Mg carriers in subducted serpentinites (e.g., talc, chlorite, and serpentine) were broken down completely before subducted slabs reached the depth beneath these volcanoes. Moreover, the volcanic rocks with low δ26Mg values from the rear arc of NEJ are characterized by high La/Yb and U/Nb ratios as well as low Ti/Eu, Ti/Ti*, and Hf/Hf* ratios, suggesting the involvements of carbonates in their magma sources. The quantitative modeling suggests that < 20 % of sedimentary carbonate (dolomite) was recycled into their mantle source, revealing that Mg-rich carbonate could be incorporated into a deep mantle wedge at rear-arc depths of 150–400 km in subduction zones. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier Acta Medica Okayama 2666-7991 4 3 2024 Capturing chronological variation in L2 speech through lexical measurements and regression analysis 100105 EN Mariko Abe Okayama University Yuichiro Kobayashi Nihon University Yusuke Kondo Waseda University This study aims to bridge gaps in current research by analyzing a longitudinal spoken learner corpus of low-proficiency English learners. We investigated the chronological variation in lexical measurements in second language (L2) speaking production, focusing on data from 104 low-proficiency learners elicited eight times over 23 months. Our findings show that measures such as the number of different words and type-token ratio are effective indicators of L2 speaking development, whereas the use of sophisticated vocabulary was not significantly correlated with learning duration. These results suggest that in the early stages of L2 acquisition, speaking skills are influenced primarily by lexical variation. This finding underscores the importance of lexical variation as a key factor in novice-level L2 speaking proficiency. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 2054-345X 11 1 2024 Genotypes and phenotypes of neurofibromatosis type 1 patients in Japan: A Hereditary Tumor Cohort Study 42 EN Mashu Futagawa Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tetsuya Okazaki Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Eiji Nakata Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Chika Fukano Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Risa Osumi Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Fumino Kato Department of Clinical Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Yusaku Urakawa Department of Genetic Medicine, School of Medicine, Fujita Health University Hideki Yamamoto Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Toshifumi Ozaki Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Okayama University Hospital Akira Hirasawa Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) presents with a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, including an increased risk of tumor development and hypertension. Comprehensive data on genotype‒phenotype correlations in patients with NF1 are limited. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to elucidate the detailed genetic and clinical characteristics of NF1 in a hereditary tumor cohort. We performed sequencing and copy number assays in a clinical laboratory and analyzed the clinical data of 44 patients with suspected NF1. Germline pathogenic variants were detected in 36 patients (81.8%), and 20.7% of the variants were novel. Notably, 40.0% of adult patients presented with malignancies; female breast cancer occurred in 20.0% of patients, which was a higher rate than that previously reported. Hypertension was observed in 30.6% of the adult patients, with one patient experiencing sudden death and another developing pheochromocytoma. Three patients with large deletions in NF1 exhibited prominent cutaneous, skeletal, and neurological manifestations. These results highlight the importance of regular surveillance, particularly for patients with malignancies and hypertension. Our findings provide valuable insights for genetic counseling and clinical management, highlighting the multiple health risks associated with NF1 and the need for comprehensive and multidisciplinary care. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Fuji Technology Press Ltd. Acta Medica Okayama 1883-8022 17 5 2023 Effect of Vibration Behavior in Low-Frequency Vibration Cutting on Surface Properties of Workpiece 434 448 EN Hiroyuki Kodama Okayama University Shota Matsuno Okayama University Naoyuki Shibata Okayama University Kazuhito Ohashi Okayama University 　The objective of this study was to determine the effect of vibration behavior on workpiece surface properties in low-frequency vibration cutting. The effects of the parameters that determine vibration behavior on surface roughness were quantitatively evaluated through a comparison with other cutting conditions. Furthermore, by clarifying how the surface properties of the workpiece, such as roughness, roundness, and cross-sectional curves, change depending on the vibration behavior, a search for optimal conditions for low-frequency vibration cutting was conducted. The best surface properties were obtained under the condition of spindle rotation per vibration E=4.5. By using a value close to the minimum possible spindle rotation R=0.5 when the workpiece is retracted, it is expected to be effective in suppressing the variation in surface roughness at each phase angle; this variation is characteristic of low-frequency vibration cutting. Workpieces machined under low-frequency vibration conditions such as (E=2.5, R=1.0) and (E=3.5, R=1.0) were found to form characteristic surface patterns on the workpiece surface owing to a phenomenon in which the depth of the cut to the workpiece changes. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Acta Medica Okayama 2169-3536 12 2024 Aromug: A Mug-Type Olfactory Interface to Enhance the Sweetness Perception of Beverages 78366 78378 EN Daiki Mayumi Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology Yugo Nakamura Faculty of Information Science and Electrical Engineering, Kyushu University Yuki Matsuda Faculty of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Shinya Misaki Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology Keiichi Yasumoto Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology Sugary beverages are a significant contributor to sugar consumption, and their excessive consumption is associated with increased risks of elevated blood glucose levels and diabetes. Many individuals have a strong preference for sugary beverages and often find beverages with lower sugar content to be less satisfying. Attempts to switch to less sugary options are frequently short-lived, leading to a return to higher-sugar beverages. Recognizing that 75 – 95% of taste perception is influenced by scent, we investigated a scent-based approach to reduce sugar intake while preserving the perception of sweetness. This study introduces an olfactory interface in the form of a mug named “Aromug,” designed to emit a sweet scent in sync with the drinking action. Aromug incorporates motion sensing and scent presentation functions to enhance the perceived sweetness of a beverage, thereby encouraging a gradual reduction in sugar intake. Our experiments, involving 33 participants, demonstrated that the combined scents of sugar-free coffee and chocolate increased the perception of sweetness (p =1.641×10−2 ). The study also found that the simultaneous presentation of scent and visual cues improved taste satisfaction and sweetness perception. Additionally, we observed variations in sweetness preference related to age and frequency of coffee consumption. It was particularly observed that people in their 20s and those who frequently drink coffee tend to perceive the taste of beverages as sweeter. This suggests a potential for Aromug to customize the scent experience based on individual preferences, offering a novel way to encourage healthier beverage choices. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 2352-409X 60 2024 Petrological characterization for material provenance of haniwa earthenware from mounded tombs in the Kibi region, Japan 104813 EN Toshio Nozaka Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Naoya Ohbayashi Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Yuki Toda Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Kanako Sugiura Department of Archaeology, Okayama University Takahiro Nozaki Research Institute for the Dynamics of Civilizations, Okayama University Osamu Kimura Research Institute for the Dynamics of Civilizations, Okayama University Naoko Matsumoto Research Institute for the Dynamics of Civilizations, Okayama University Akira Seike Department of Archaeology, Okayama University To determine the provenance of the materials used in the production of haniwa earthenware unearthed from mounded tombs (kofun) in the Kibi region (modern Okayama Prefecture) during the Kofun period (late 3rd – 6th century CE) of Japan, we carried out petrological analyses of haniwa sherds, including optical microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and electron-probe analysis. The 25 haniwa sherds analyzed from 12 representative mounded tombs are composed of mineral and rock inclusions with variable grain size set in a clay matrix. The dominant inclusions are quartz, K-feldspar, and plagioclase, associated with minor amounts of amphibole, volcanic glass, and granitic rocks in all the haniwa sherds, and small amounts of hornfels, quartz rock, and accessory minerals, including mica, ilmenite, and chromite, in some of the sherds. Amphibole and plagioclase have compositional variations indicative of the mixing of tephra and granitic components. The compositions of volcanic glass inclusions are similar to those of the Aira-Tanzawa and Kikai-Akahoya tephras widely distributed in southwestern Japan. Bulk chemical compositions show magmatic differentiation trends, which are variable between individual tombs. From these results, it is concluded that the paste materials of haniwa in the Kibi region were commonly derived from weathered granitic rocks mixed with minor amounts of three widespread tephras. The variations of chemical and mineralogical compositions are probably the reflection of local geologic settings, suggesting the presence of specific mining sites of paste materials around each tomb. The mining sites could be located at the bases of hills of granitic rocks covered by widespread tephras and in some cases, near the flood plain of big river systems. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

BMJ Publishing Group Acta Medica Okayama 2044-6055 14 10 2024 Decline in and recovery of fertility rates after COVID-19-related state of emergency in Japan e087657 EN Tomohiro Mitoma Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Jota Maki Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hikaru Ooba Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hisashi Masuyama Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic led to a decline in fertility rates worldwide. Although many regions have experienced a temporary drop in fertility rates with the spread of the infection, subsequent recovery has varied across countries. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 infection rates and regional sociodemographic factors on the recovery of fertility rates in Japan following the state of emergency.<br> Methods This study examined prefectural fertility data from before the COVID-19 pandemic to forecast fertility rates up to 2022 using a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model. A regression analysis was conducted on fertility rates during the first state of emergency and the subsequent recovery rate with respect to the number of new COVID-19 cases and sociodemographic factors specific to each prefecture.<br> Results During the first state of emergency, the monthly fertility rate decreased by an average of -13.8% (SD: 6.26, min: -28.78, max: 0.15) compared with the previous year. Over the following 22 months, the average fertility recovery rate was +2.31% (SD: 3.57; min: -8.55, max: 19.54). Multivariate analysis of the impact of the pandemic on fertility changes during the first emergency indicated a negative correlation between new COVID-19 cases per capita and the proportion of nuclear households. No significant correlation was found between fertility recovery rate and new COVID-19 cases or emergency duration. When classifying fertility rate fluctuation patterns before and after the emergency into four clusters, variations were noted in the proportion of the elderly population, marriage divorce rate and the number of internet searches related to pregnancy intentions across the clusters.<br> Conclusions No association was found between pregnancy intentions related to the spread of infection, such as the number of new cases and the fertility recovery rate following the first state of emergency. Differences in the patterns of decline and recovery during the pandemic were observed based on population composition and internet searches for infection and pregnancy across different prefectures. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Nature Portfolio Acta Medica Okayama 2045-2322 14 1 2024 Training high-performance deep learning classifier for diagnosis in oral cytology using diverse annotations 17591 EN Shintaro Sukegawa Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Futa Tanaka Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University Keisuke Nakano Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takeshi Hara Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University Takanaga Ochiai Division of Oral Pathogenesis and Disease Control, Department of Oral Pathology, Asahi University School of Dentistry Katsumitsu Shimada Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Oral Medicine, Matsumoto Dental University Yuta Inoue Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University Yoshihiro Taki Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gifu University Fumi Nakai Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine Yasuhiro Nakai Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine Takanori Ishihama Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine Ryo Miyazaki Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University Satoshi Murakami Department of Oral Pathology, Graduate School of Oral Medicine, Matsumoto Dental University Hitoshi Nagatsuka Department of Oral Pathology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Minoru Miyake Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Kagawa University Faculty of Medicine The uncertainty of true labels in medical images hinders diagnosis owing to the variability across professionals when applying deep learning models. We used deep learning to obtain an optimal convolutional neural network (CNN) by adequately annotating data for oral exfoliative cytology considering labels from multiple oral pathologists. Six whole-slide images were processed using QuPath for segmenting them into tiles. The images were labeled by three oral pathologists, resulting in 14,535 images with the corresponding pathologists' annotations. Data from three pathologists who provided the same diagnosis were labeled as ground truth (GT) and used for testing. We investigated six models trained using the annotations of (1) pathologist A, (2) pathologist B, (3) pathologist C, (4) GT, (5) majority voting, and (6) a probabilistic model. We divided the test by cross-validation per slide dataset and examined the classification performance of the CNN with a ResNet50 baseline. Statistical evaluation was performed repeatedly and independently using every slide 10 times as test data. For the area under the curve, three cases showed the highest values (0.861, 0.955, and 0.991) for the probabilistic model. Regarding accuracy, two cases showed the highest values (0.988 and 0.967). For the models using the pathologists and GT annotations, many slides showed very low accuracy and large variations across tests. Hence, the classifier trained with probabilistic labels provided the optimal CNN for oral exfoliative cytology considering diagnoses from multiple pathologists. These results may lead to trusted medical artificial intelligence solutions that reflect diverse diagnoses of various professionals. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 2079-9292 13 15 2024 Performance Investigations of VSLAM and Google Street View Integration in Outdoor Location-Based Augmented Reality under Various Lighting Conditions 2930 EN Komang Candra Brata Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Nobuo Funabiki Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Prismahardi Aji Riyantoko Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yohanes Yohanie Fridelin Panduman Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Mustika Mentari Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University The growing demand for Location-based Augmented Reality (LAR) experiences has driven the integration of Visual Simultaneous Localization And Mapping (VSLAM) with Google Street View (GSV) to enhance the accuracy. However, the impact of the ambient light intensity on the accuracy and reliability is underexplored, posing significant challenges in outdoor LAR implementations. This paper investigates the impact of light conditions on the accuracy and reliability of the VSLAM/GSV integration approach in outdoor LAR implementations. This study fills a gap in the current literature and offers valuable insights into vision-based approach implementation under different light conditions. Extensive experiments were conducted at five Point of Interest (POI) locations under various light conditions with a total of 100 datasets. Descriptive statistic methods were employed to analyze the data and assess the performance variation. Additionally, the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) analysis was utilized to assess the impact of different light conditions on the accuracy metric and horizontal tracking time, determining whether there are significant differences in performance across varying levels of light intensity. The experimental results revealed that a significant correlation (p < 0.05) exists between the ambient light intensity and the accuracy of the VSLAM/GSV integration approach. Through the confidence interval estimation, the minimum illuminance 434 lx is needed to provide a feasible and consistent accuracy. Variations in visual references, such as wet surfaces in the rainy season, also impact the horizontal tracking time and accuracy. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Acta Medica Okayama 2169-3536 12 2024 Feasibility of Active Reactance Compensator for Autonomously Maximizing Repeater Coil Current of Wireless Power Transfer System Against Variations in Resonant Frequency and Magnetic Coupling Intensity 98175 98188 EN Masataka Ishihara Faculty of Life, Environment, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kazuhiro Umetani Faculty of Life, Environment, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Akihiro Konishi Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Chiba University Eiji Hiraki Faculty of Life, Environment, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University In resonant inductive coupling wireless power transfer systems, a repeater resonator is crucial in expanding the charging area, enabling efficient power supply to receivers, such as small Internet of Things (IoT) devices sparsely distributed in a wide area. However, the repeater current is highly susceptible to deviations in resonance frequency due to manufacturing tolerance and aging, as well as to the magnetic coupling between the transmitter and repeater coils, potentially leading to insufficient amplitude. Consequently, the magnetic field generated by the repeater decreases and the receiver may be difficult to obtain sufficient power from the transmitter via the repeater. To address this problem, this paper proposes a wireless power transfer system with active reactance compensators incorporated in the repeater and the transmitter. The proposed system can equivalently adjust the resonant frequencies of the transmitter and repeater to stably maximize the repeater coil current regardless of the variations in the resonant frequency and the magnetic coupling intensity. Experiments successfully verify that the proposed system can provide a more stable and larger repeater current and output power than the conventional system against the variations in the magnetic field intensity and the resonant frequency of the repeater, validating the feasibility of the proposed system for practical utilization of the repeater in expanding the charging area. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Royal Society of Chemistry Acta Medica Okayama 2041-6520 15 32 2024 Boosting charge separation in organic photovoltaics: unveiling dipole moment variations in excited non-fullerene acceptor layers 12686 12694 EN Akira Yamakata Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kosaku Kato Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takumi Urakami Department of Molecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University Sota Tsujimura Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University Kasumi Murayama Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University Masahiro Higashi Department of Complex Systems Science, Graduate School of Informatics, Nagoya University Hirofumi Sato Department of Molecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University Yasuhiro Kobori Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kobe University Tomokazu Umeyama Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Engineering, University of Hyogo Hiroshi Imahori Department of Molecular Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic photovoltaics (OPVs) has reached more than 19% due to the rapid development of non-fullerene acceptors (NFAs). To compete with the PCEs (26%) of commercialized silicon-based inorganic photovoltaics, the drawback of OPVs should be minimized. This drawback is the intrinsic large loss of open-circuit voltage; however, a general approach to this issue remains elusive. Here, we report a discovery regarding highly efficient NFAs, specifically ITIC. We found that charge-transfer (CT) and charge dissociation (CD) can occur even in a neat ITIC film without the donor layer. This is surprising, as these processes were previously believed to take place exclusively at donor/acceptor heterojunctions. Femtosecond time-resolved visible to mid-infrared measurements revealed that in the neat ITIC layers, the intermolecular CT immediately proceeds after photoirradiation (<0.1 ps) to form weakly-bound excitons with a binding energy of 0.3 eV, which are further dissociated into free electrons and holes with a time-constant of 56 ps. Theoretical calculations indicate that stacking faults in ITIC (i.e., V-type molecular stacking) induce instantaneous intermolecular CT and CD in the neat ITIC layer. In contrast, J-type stacking does not support such CT and CD. This previously unknown pathway is triggered by the larger dipole moment change on the excited state generated at the lower symmetric V-type molecular stacking of ITIC. This is in sharp contrast with the need of sufficient energy offset for CT and CD at the donor-acceptor heterojunction, leading to the significant voltage loss in conventional OPVs. These results demonstrate that the rational molecular design of NFAs can increase the local dipole moment change on the excited state within the NFA layer. This finding paves the way for a groundbreaking route toward the commercialization of OPVs. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Acta Medica Okayama 2187-9745 11 6 2024 Effect of artificial defect on tensile properties of thin titanium alloy wire 24-00129 EN Junji SAKAMOTO Okayama University Naoya TADA Okayama University Takeshi UEMORI Okayama University Koyo OISHI Okayama University This study investigated the effects of artificial defects, introduced via focused ion beam (FIB) processing, on the tensile properties of thin titanium alloy wires (Ti-6Al-4V). Results indicated that the defective wires fractured when the net-section nominal stress reached the ultimate tensile strength of the smooth wires, probably because of localized stress concentrations relaxing due to plastic deformation around the defects. The effect of defects on tensile properties was classified into three regions based on the size of the defect area. In the case of small defects, wires fractured at the smooth area away from the defects where the cross-sectional strength was lower. In this case, the defects minimally affected the tensile properties. This is attributable to variations in the cross-sectional strength of the wire, which resulted in some sections with lower strength as compared with the defect area. In the case of medium-sized defects, the fracture strain decreased gradually as the defect area increased. Finally, in the case of large defects, the fracture strain was extremely small. The boundary between the medium-sized and large defects indicates the transition from plastic deformation to no plastic deformation in the smooth area. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Chemical Society Acta Medica Okayama 2470-1343 9 19 2024 Superstructure of Fe5–xGeTe2 Determined by Te K-Edge Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure and Te Kα X-ray Fluorescence Holography 21287 21297 EN Ritsuko Eguchi Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Halubai Sekhar Department of Physical Science and Technology, Nagoya Institute of Technology Koji Kimura Department of Physical Science and Technology, Nagoya Institute of Technology Hirokazu Masai Department of Materials and Chemistry, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Naohisa Happo Graduate School of Information Sciences, Hiroshima City University Mitsuki Ikeda Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Yuki Yamamoto Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Masaki Utsumi Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Hidenori Goto Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Yasuhiro Takabayashi Department of Physical Science and Technology, Nagoya Institute of Technology Hiroo Tajiri Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) Koichi Hayashi Department of Physical Science and Technology, Nagoya Institute of Technology Yoshihiro Kubozono Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University The local structure of the two-dimensional van der Waals material, Fe5–xGeTe2, which exhibits unique structural/magnetic phase transitions, was investigated by Te K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and Te Kα X-ray fluorescence holography (XFH) over a wide temperature range. The formation of a trimer of Te atoms at low temperatures has been fully explored using these methods. An increase in the Te–Fe distance at approximately 150 K was suggested by EXAFS and presumably indicates the formation of a Te trimer. Moreover, XFH displayed clear atomic images of Te atoms. Additionally, the distance between the Te atoms shortened, as confirmed from the atomic images reconstructed from XFH, indicating the formation of a trimer of Te atoms, i.e., a charge-ordered (3⎯⎯√×3⎯⎯√)𝑅30◦ superstructure. Furthermore, Te Kα XFH provided unambiguous atomic images of Fe atoms occupying the Fe1 site; the images were not clearly observed in the Ge Kα XFH that was previously reported because of the low occupancy of Fe and Ge atoms. In this study, EXAFS and XFH clearly showed the local structure around the Te atom; in particular, the formation of Te trimers caused by charge-ordered phase transitions was clearly confirmed. The charge-ordered phase transition is fully discussed based on the structural variation at low temperatures, as established from EXAFS and XFH. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

IOP Publishing Acta Medica Okayama 1882-0778 16 9 2023 Active control of localized mode and transmission in topological phononic waveguides by non-Hermitian modulation 094001 EN Md. Shuzon Ali Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Okayama University Yusuke Hata Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Okayama University Kenji Tsuruta Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Okayama University We demonstrate the switching behavioral differences between lossy and nearly lossless edge-mode propagation by non-Hermitian modulation based on the phononic band design of a C3v symmetric, two-dimensional phononic crystal with a unit cell composed of three air-filled circular holes in polydimethylsiloxane. We numerically show that strong loss effects lead to the extinction of the localized modes. This mechanism is analogous to the bound-to-unbound transition in non-Hermitian quantum systems. This result suggests that large variations in non-Hermitian modulation can be used for the active control of edge-mode propagation along topological interfaces. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0340-5443 77 7 2023 Latitudinal cline in reproductive traits in the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum 85 EN Kentarou Matsumura Graduate School of Environmental, Life Science and Technology, Okayama University Kyosuke Wakabayashi Graduate School of Environmental, Life Science and Technology, Okayama University Renya Kawakami Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University Takahisa Miyatake Graduate School of Environmental, Life Science and Technology, Okayama University Several previous studies have reported geographic variation and/or latitudinal clines of morphological sexual characteristics, but there are few studies that consider reproductive traits that are not morphological. Here, we measured the proportion of females fertilized by males, frequency of reproductive failure in males, and number of female copulations of the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum collected from fields in Japan to investigate the relationship between reproductive traits and latitude. Our results show substantial differences in the reproductive traits of both sexes among field populations. We identified latitudinal clines for reproductive traits in males, but not females. Moreover, female, but not male, reproductive traits were correlated with body size. Our study suggests that selection for male reproductive traits varies with latitude in T. castaneum. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0340-5443 78 3 2024 Experimental quantification of genetic and ontogenetic effects on fighting behavior in the broad-horned flour beetle 34 EN Toshiki Nishitani Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural and Technology, Okayama University Kentarou Matsumura Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural and Technology, Okayama University Erik Postma Centre for Ecology & Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus Manmohan Dev Sharma Centre for Ecology & Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus David J Hosken Centre for Ecology & Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus Takahisa Miyatake Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural and Technology, Okayama University Most animal behaviors show large within- and among-individual variation, and this includes competitive male behaviors. With male fighting for example, aggressiveness often correlates with dominance, and contest duration varies with age. However, few studies have directly quantified how mean aggressiveness and contest duration, the variation among individuals in both traits, and the relationship among them, vary with age. Here we address these gaps and examine the effect of male age and genotype on two key aspects of male fighting behavior - aggressiveness (here measured as latency to fight) and contest duration - and the relationship between them. We do this using isogenic lines of the broad-horned flour beetle Gnatocerus cornutus. We observed fighting behavior of paired males of similar body size and age. Using uni- and multivariate mixed models, we show that although there was a significant difference between younger and older males in contest duration, mean aggressiveness was not affected by male age. However, the variation in aggression and fight duration varied with age, being greater in younger and older males respectively. Additionally, although there was a positive correlation between aggressiveness and contest duration in younger males, this relationship was not found in older males. Finally, the only significant genetic effect was for aggression in younger males. Our study shows that age differentially shapes key components of male fighting behavior as well as the relationship among them, highlighting the dynamic nature and context-dependence of fighting. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier Acta Medica Okayama 1083-351X 299 8 2023 Mammalian type opsin 5 preferentially activates G14 in Gq-type G proteins triggering intracellular calcium response 105020 EN Keita Sato Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takahiro Yamashita Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University Hideyo Ohuchi Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Mammalian type opsin 5 (Opn5m), a UV-sensitive G protein-coupled receptor opsin highly conserved in vertebrates, would provide a common basis for UV sensing from lamprey to humans. However, G protein coupled with Opn5m remains controversial due to variations in assay conditions and the origin of Opn5m across different reports. Here, we examined Opn5m from diverse species using an aequorin luminescence assay and G alpha-KO cell line. Beyond the commonly studied major G alpha classes, G alpha q, G alpha 11, G alpha 14, and G alpha 15 in the Gq class were individually investigated in this study, as they can drive distinct signaling pathways in addition to a canonical calcium response. UV light triggered a calcium response via all the tested Opn5m proteins in 293T cells, which was abolished by Gq-type G alpha deletion and rescued by cotransfection with mouse and medaka Gq-type G alpha proteins. Opn5m preferentially activated G alpha 14 and close relatives. Mutational analysis implicated specific regions, including alpha 3-beta 5 and alpha G-alpha 4 loops, alpha G and alpha 4 helices, and the extreme C terminus, in the preferential activation of G alpha 14 by Opn5m. FISH revealed co-expression of genes encoding Opn5m and G alpha 14 in the scleral cartilage of medaka and chicken eyes, supporting their physiological coupling. This suggests that the preferential activation of G alpha 14 by Opn5m is relevant for UV sensing in specific cell types. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Chemical Society (ACS) Acta Medica Okayama 1936-0851 18 6 2024 Spatially Uniform and Quantitative Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering under Modal Ultrastrong Coupling Beyond Nanostructure Homogeneity Limits 4993 5002 EN Yoshiki Suganami Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University Tomoya Oshikiri Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University Hideyuki Mitomo Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University Keiji Sasaki Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University Yen-En Liu Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University Xu Shi Creative Research Institution, Hokkaido University Yasutaka Matsuo Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University Kuniharu Ijiro Research Institute for Electronic Science, Hokkaido University Hiroaki Misawa Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University We developed a substrate that enables highly sensitive and spatially uniform surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). This substrate comprises densely packed gold nanoparticles (d-AuNPs)/titanium dioxide/Au film (d-ATA). The d-ATA substrate demonstrates modal ultrastrong coupling between localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) of AuNPs and Fabry–Pérot nanocavities. d-ATA exhibits a significant enhancement of the near-field intensity, resulting in a 78-fold increase in the SERS signal for crystal violet (CV) compared to that of d-AuNP/TiO2 substrates. Importantly, high sensitivity and a spatially uniform signal intensity can be obtained without precise control of the shape and arrangement of the nanoscale AuNPs, enabling quantitative SERS measurements. Additionally, SERS measurements of rhodamine 6G (R6G) on this substrate under ultralow adsorption conditions (0.6 R6G molecules/AuNP) show a spatial variation in the signal intensity within 3%. These findings suggest that the SERS signal under modal ultrastrong coupling originates from multiple plasmonic particles with quantum coherence. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 1424-8220 24 2 2024 Ultrathin Platinum Film Hydrogen Sensors with a Twin-T Type Notch Filter Circuit 548 EN Shoki Wakabayashi Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Yuki Oh Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Haruhito Nakayama Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Jin Wang Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Toshihiko Kiwa Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University In recent years, hydrogen energy has garnered attention as a potential solution for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. However, concerns regarding the inherent risk of hydrogen gas leakage and potential explosions have necessitated the development of advanced sensors. Within our research group, we have innovated an ultrathin platinum (Pt) film hydrogen sensor that gauges resistance changes in Pt thin films when exposed to hydrogen gas. Notably, the sensitivity of each sensor is contingent upon the thickness of the Pt film. To address the challenge of detecting hydrogen using multiple sensors, we integrated the ultrathin Pt film as a resistance element within a twin-T type notch filter. This filter exhibits a distinctive reduction in output signals at a specific frequency. The frequency properties of the notch filter dynamically alter with changes in the resistance of the Pt film induced by hydrogen exposure. Consequently, the ultrathin Pt film hydrogen sensor monitors output signal variations around the notch frequency, responding to shifts in frequency properties. This innovative approach enables the electrical control of sensor sensitivity by adjusting the operating frequency in proximity to the notch frequency. Additionally, the simultaneous detection of hydrogen by multiple sensors was successfully achieved by interconnecting sensors with distinct notch frequencies in series. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Acta Medica Okayama 1744-683X 20 7 2024 Controlled mechanical properties of poly(ionic liquid)-based hydrophobic ion gels by the introduction of alumina nanoparticles with different shapes 1611 1619 EN Yuna Mizutani Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science, Okayama University Takaichi Watanabe Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science, Okayama University Carlos G. Lopez Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University Tsutomu Ono Department of Applied Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science, Okayama University Ionic–liquid gels, also known as ion gels, have gained considerable attention due to their high ionic conductivity and CO2 absorption capacity. However, their low mechanical strength has hindered their practical applications. A potential solution to this challenge is the incorporation of particles, such as silica nanoparticles, TiO2 nanoparticles, and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) into ion gels. Comparative studies on the effect of particles with different shapes are still in progress. This study investigated the effect of the shape of particles introduced into ion gels on their mechanical properties. Consequently, alumina/poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) double-network (DN) ion gels consisting of clustered alumina nanoparticles with various shapes (either spherical or rod-shaped) and a chemically crosslinked poly[1-ethyl-3-vinylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide] (PC2im-TFSI, PIL) network were prepared. The results revealed that the mechanical strengths of the alumina/PIL DN ion gels were superior to those of PIL single-network ion gels without particles. Notably, the fracture energies of the rod-shaped alumina/PIL DN ion gels were approximately 2.6 times higher than those of the spherical alumina/PIL DN ion gels. Cyclic tensile tests were performed, and the results indicate that the loading energy on the ion gel was dissipated through the fracture of the alumina network. TEM observation suggests that the variation in the mechanical strength depending on the shape can be attributed to differences in the aggregation structure of the alumina particles, thus indicating the possibility of tuning the mechanical strength of ion gels by altering not only particle kinds but its shape. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学農学部 Acta Medica Okayama 2186-7755 113 2024 Instant estimation of rice yield using ground-based RGB images and its potential applicability to UAV 41 48 EN Yu Tanaka Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Tomoya Watanabe Graduate School of Mathematics, Kyushu University Keisuke Katsura Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Yasuhiro Tsujimoto Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Toshiyuki Takai Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Takashi Sonam Tashi Tanaka Faculty of Biological Sciences, Gifu UniversityFaculty of Biological Sciences, Gifu University Kensuke Kawamura Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Hiroki Saito Tropical Agriculture Research Front, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Koki Homma Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University Salifou Goube Mairoua Africa Rice Center （AfricaRice） Kokou Ahouanton Africa Rice Center （AfricaRice） Ali Ibrahim Africa Rice Center （AfricaRice）, Regional Station for the Sahel Kalimuthu Senthilkumar Africa Rice Center （AfricaRice） Vimal Kumar Semwal Africa Rice Center （AfricaRice）, Nigeria Station Eduardo Jose Graterol Matute Latin American Fund for Irrigated Rice - The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT Edgar Corredor Latin American Fund for Irrigated Rice - The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT Raafat El-Namaky Rice Research and Training Center, Field Crops Research Institute Norvie Manigbas Philippine Rice Research Institute （PhilRice） Eduardo Jimmy P. Quilang Philippine Rice Research Institute （PhilRice） Yu Iwahashi Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Kota Nakajima Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Eisuke Takeuchi Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Kazuki Saito Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important cereals, which provides 20% of the world’s food energy. However, its productivity is poorly assessed especially in the global South. Here, we provide a first study to perform a deep learning-based approach for instantaneously estimating rice yield using RGB images. During ripening stage and at harvest, over 22,000 digital images were captured vertically downwards over the rice canopy from a distance of 0.8 to 0.9m at 4,820 harvesting plots having the yield of 0.1 to 16.1 t ha-1 across six countries in Africa and Japan. A convolutional neural network (CNN) applied to these data at harvest predicted 68% variation in yield with a relative root mean square error (rRMSE) of 0.22. Even when the resolution of images was reduced (from 0.2 to 3.2cm pixel-1 of ground sampling distance), the model could predict 57% variation in yield, implying that this approach can be scaled by use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Our work offers low-cost, hands-on, and rapid approach for high throughput phenotyping, and can lead to impact assessment of productivity-enhancing interventions, detection of fields where these are needed to sustainably increase crop production. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Science and Business Media LLC Acta Medica Okayama 0301-486X 189 1 2024 Trends in the Incidence of Disseminated Cryptococcosis in Japan: A Nationwide Observational Study, 2015–2021 8 EN Hidemasa Akazawa Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hideharu Hagiya Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital Toshihiro Koyama Department of Health Data Science, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Fumio Otsuka Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Background Cryptococcus species can cause severe disseminated infections in immunocompromised hosts. This study investigated the epidemiological features and trends in disseminated cryptococcosis in Japan.<br> Methods We used publicly available Infectious Diseases Weekly Reports to obtain data on the incidence of disseminated cryptococcosis in Japan from 2015 to 2021. Patient information, including age, sex, and regional and seasonal data, were extracted. The Joinpoint regression program was used to determine the age-adjusted incidence rate (AAR) per 100,000 population, annual percentage change (APC), and average APC (AAPC).<br> Results A total of 1047 cases of disseminated cryptococcosis were reported, of which those aged ≥ 70 years accounted for 68.8%. The AAR in men was significantly higher than that in women (median: 0.13 vs. 0.09: p = 0.0024). APC for the overall cases increased by 9.9% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] − 5.4–27.7) from 2015 to 2018 and then decreased by 3.3% (95% CI − 15.5–10.7) from 2018 to 2021. AAPC for the entire study period was 3.1% (95% CI − 1.5–8.0), indicating a possible increase in its number, although not statistically significant. In terms of regional distribution, the average AAR was highest in Shikoku District (0.17) and lowest in Hokkaido District (0.04). Northern Japan exhibited a significantly lower median AAR (median [interquartile range]: 0.06 [0.05, 0.08]) than the Eastern (0.12 [0.12, 0.13]), Western (0.11 [0.10, 0.13]), and Southern (0.14 [0.12, 0.15]) regions. No seasonal variation in incidence was observed.<br> Conclusion The prevalence of disseminated cryptococcosis has not increased in Japan. Geographically, the incidence is lower in Northern Japan. Further investigations that incorporate detailed clinical data are required. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Acta Medica Okayama 2643-6515 5 2023 Deep Learning Enables Instant and Versatile Estimation of Rice Yield Using Ground-Based RGB Images 0073 EN Yu Tanaka Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Tomoya Watanabe Graduate School of Mathematics, Kyushu University Keisuke Katsura Graduate School of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology Yasuhiro Tsujimoto Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Toshiyuki Takai Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Takashi Sonam Tashi Tanaka Graduate School of Environmental, Life, Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Kensuke Kawamura Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Hiroki Saito Tropical Agriculture Research Front, Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences Koki Homma Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University Salifou Goube Mairoua Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) Kokou Ahouanton Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) Ali Ibrahim Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), Regional Station for the Sahel Kalimuthu Senthilkumar Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice) Vimal Kumar Semwal Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), Nigeria Station Eduardo Jose Graterol Matute Latin American Fund for Irrigated Rice - The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT Edgar Corredor Latin American Fund for Irrigated Rice - The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT Raafat El-Namaky Rice Research and Training Center, Field Crops Research Institute, ARC Norvie Manigbas Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Eduardo Jimmy P. Quilang Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Yu Iwahashi Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Kota Nakajima Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Eisuke Takeuchi Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Kazuki Saito Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most important cereals, which provides 20% of the world’s food energy. However, its productivity is poorly assessed especially in the global South. Here, we provide a first study to perform a deep-learning-based approach for instantaneously estimating rice yield using red-green-blue images. During ripening stage and at harvest, over 22,000 digital images were captured vertically downward over the rice canopy from a distance of 0.8 to 0.9 m at 4,820 harvesting plots having the yield of 0.1 to 16.1 t·ha−1 across 6 countries in Africa and Japan. A convolutional neural network applied to these data at harvest predicted 68% variation in yield with a relative root mean square error of 0.22. The developed model successfully detected genotypic difference and impact of agronomic interventions on yield in the independent dataset. The model also demonstrated robustness against the images acquired at different shooting angles up to 30° from right angle, diverse light environments, and shooting date during late ripening stage. Even when the resolution of images was reduced (from 0.2 to 3.2 cm·pixel−1 of ground sampling distance), the model could predict 57% variation in yield, implying that this approach can be scaled by the use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Our work offers low-cost, hands-on, and rapid approach for high-throughput phenotyping and can lead to impact assessment of productivity-enhancing interventions, detection of fields where these are needed to sustainably increase crop production, and yield forecast at several weeks before harvesting. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 1042-4431 89 2023 The long-run risk premium in the intertemporal CAPM: International evidence 101854 EN Ryuta Sakemoto Okayama University, Okayama-ken, Japan and Keio Economic Observatory, Keio University This study investigates whether long-run conditional covariance risk is linked to expected returns in the Intertemporal CAPM framework. We observe that the long-run value risk is positively associated with the expected returns on the global portfolios excluding the US. We also find that the long-run momentum risk is negatively related to the expected returns. In contrast, the long-run market risk is not associated with them, due to the low covariance variation across portfolios. Finally, we uncover that the long-run value premiums were strong for the global and European portfolios before the COVID-19 pandemic. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

BMC Acta Medica Okayama 1472-6939 24 1 2023 Radiation in an emergency situation: attempting to respect the patient's beliefs as reported by a minor 80 EN Tetsuya Yumoto Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takashi Hongo Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yasuhiro Koide Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takafumi Obara Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Kohei Tsukahara Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hiromichi Naito Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Atsunori Nakao Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Background　Each individual's unique health-related beliefs can greatly impact the patient-clinician relationship. When there is a conflict between the patient's preferences and recommended medical care, it can create a serious ethical dilemma, especially in an emergency setting, and dramatically alter this important relationship.<br> Case presentation　A 56-year-old man, who remained comatose after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, was rushed to our hospital. The patient was scheduled for emergency coronary angiography when his adolescent daughter reported that she and her father held sincere beliefs against radiation exposure. We were concerned that she did not fully understand the potential consequences if her father did not receive the recommended treatment. A physician provided her with in depth information regarding the risks and benefits of the treatment. While we did not want to disregard her statement, we opted to save the patient's life due to concerns about the validity of her report.<br> Conclusions　Variations in beliefs regarding medical care force clinicians to incorporate patient beliefs into medical practice. However, an emergency may require a completely different approach. When faced with a patient in a life-threatening condition and unconscious, we should take action to prioritize saving their life, unless we are highly certain about the validity of their advance directives. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 77 5 2023 Neurological Analysis Based on the Terminal End of the Spinal Cord and the Narrowest Level of Injured Spine in Thoracolumbar Spinal Injuries 499 509 EN Yuji Hatakeyama Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Akita Red Cross Hospital Michio Hongo Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Tadato Kido Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Akita Rosai Hospital Masakazu Urayama Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ogachi Central Hospital Yuji Kasukawa Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Hiroshi Sasaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Noshiro Kousei Medical Center Toshiaki Aizawa Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kitaakita Municipal Hospital Daisuke Kudo Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Ryota Kimura Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Yuichi Ono Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Akita Red Cross Hospital Fumihito Kasama Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Naohisa Miyakoshi Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine Original Article 10.18926/AMO/65972 This study aimed to clarify neurological differences among the epiconus, conus medullaris, and cauda equina syndromes. Eighty-seven patients who underwent surgery for acute thoracolumbar spinal injuries were assessed. We defined the epiconus as the region from the terminal end of the spinal cord to the proximal 1.0 to 2.25 vertebral bodies, the conus medullaris as the region proximal to < 1.0 vertebral bodies, and the cauda equina as the distal part of the nerve roots originating from the spinal cord. On the basis of the distance from the terminal end of the spinal cord to the narrowest level of the spinal canal, the narrowest levels were ordered as follows: the epiconus followed by the conus medullaris and cauda equina. The narrowest levels were the epiconus in 22 patients, conus medullaris in 37 patients, and cauda equina in 25 patients. On admission, significantly more patients had a narrowed epiconus of Frankel grades A-C than a narrowed cauda equina. At the final follow-up, there were no significant differences in neurological recovery among those with epiconus, conus medullaris, or cauda equina syndrome. Anatomically classifying the narrowest lesion is useful for clarifying the differences and similarities among these three syndromes. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press Acta Medica Okayama 1340-2838 30 5 2023 Genetic basis of lineage-specific evolution of fruit traits in hexaploid persimmon dsad015 EN Ayano Horiuchi Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Kanae Masuda Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Kenta Shirasawa Kazusa DNA Research Institute Noriyuki Onoue Institute of Fruit Tree and Tea Science, NARO Ryusuke Matsuzaki Institute of Fruit Tree and Tea Science, NARO Ryutaro Tao Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University Yasutaka Kubo Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Koichiro Ushijima Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Takashi Akagi Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Frequent polyploidization events in plants have led to the establishment of many lineage-specific traits representing each species. Little is known about the genetic bases for these specific traits in polyploids, presumably due to plant genomic complexity and their difficulties in applying genetic approaches. Hexaploid Oriental persimmon (Diospyros kaki) has evolved specific fruit characteristics, including wide variations in fruit shapes and astringency. In this study, using whole-genome diploidized/quantitative genotypes from ddRAD-Seq data of 173 persimmon cultivars, we examined their population structures and potential correlations between their structural transitions and variations in nine fruit traits. The population structures of persimmon cultivars were highly randomized and not substantially correlated with the representative fruit traits focused on in this study, except for fruit astringency. With genome-wide association analytic tools considering polyploid alleles, we identified the loci associated with the nine fruit traits; we mainly focused on fruit-shape variations, which have been numerically characterized by principal component analysis of elliptic Fourier descriptors. The genomic regions that putatively underwent selective sweep exhibited no overlap with the loci associated with these persimmon-specific fruit traits. These insights will contribute to understanding the genetic mechanisms by which fruit traits are independently established, possibly due to polyploidization events. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 77 4 2023 Acute Coronary Spasm Following Pelvic Fracture, Bleeding, and Shock in a Trauma Patient 423 427 EN Yasuaki Yamakawa Emergency and Critical Care Center, Kochi Health Sciences Center Kohei Miyashita Emergency and Critical Care Center, Kochi Health Sciences Center Atsushi Morizane Emergency and Critical Care Center, Kochi Health Sciences Center Masato Takeuchi Department of Cardiology, Kochi Health Sciences Center Yuta Kawashima Department of Radiology, Kochi Health Sciences Center Tomoko Sugimura Emergency and Critical Care Center, Kochi Health Sciences Center Yuichi Saisaka Emergency and Critical Care Center, Kochi Health Sciences Center Case Report 10.18926/AMO/65753 We report a case of a patient with severe pelvic fracture who showed concurrent ST elevation on electrocardiogram. A 70-year-old man incurred an unstable pelvic fracture from a motorcycle accident. On admission, he was hemodynamically unstable, and massive transfusion and noradrenaline were administered immediately. Although ST elevation was present in leads II, III, aVF, V5, and V6, cardiac function was preserved; thus, trans-arterial embolization and external fixation for pelvic fracture were given priority. Four days after the injury, he suffered a cardiac arrest, and coronary angiography revealed that the cause of ST elevation and cardiac arrest was coronary vasospasm. Physicians should be aware that pain-related stress and platelet activation as well as use of noradrenaline in severe trauma cases can induce coronary vasospasm. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 77 4 2023 Association of Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha with Psychopathology in Patients with Schizophrenia 395 405 EN Marko Pavlovic University Hospital Center Mostar, University of Mostar Dragan Babic University Hospital Center Mostar, University of Mostar Pejana Rastovic University Hospital Center Mostar, University of Mostar Jurica Arapovic University Hospital Center Mostar, University of Mostar Marko Martinac Health Care Center Mostar, University of Mostar Sanja Jakovac University Hospital Center Mostar, University of Mostar Romana Barbaric University Hospital Center Mostar, University of Mostar Original Article 10.18926/AMO/65750 We investigated the relationship between serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels and psychopathological symptoms, clinical and socio-demographic characteristics and antipsychotic therapy in individuals with schizophrenia. TNF-α levels were measured in 90 patients with schizophrenia and 90 healthy controls matched by age, gender, smoking status, and body mass index. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was used to assess the severity of psychopathology in patients. No significant differences in TNF-α levels were detected between the patients and controls (p=0.736). TNF-α levels were not correlated with total, positive, negative, general, or composite PANSS scores (all p>0.05). A significant negative correlation was observed between TNF-α levels and the PANSS cognitive factor (ρ=−0.222, p=0.035). A hierarchical regression analysis identified the cognitive factor as a significant predictor of the TNF-α level (beta=−0.258, t=−2.257, p=0.027). There were no significant differences in TNF-α levels among patients treated with different types of antipsychotics (p=0.596). TNF-α levels correlated positively with the age of onset (ρ=0.233, p=0.027) and negatively with illness duration (ρ=−0.247, p=0.019) and antipsychotic treatment duration (ρ=−0.256, p=0.015). These results indicate that TNF-α may be involved in cognitive impairment in schizophrenia, and would be a potential clinical-state marker in schizophrenia. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 77 4 2023 GATA4 rs61277615, rs73203482, and rs35813172 in Newborns with Transposition of the Great Arteries 365 370 EN Elena Moldovan Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Cardiovascular and Transplant Emergency Institute of Târgu Mureș Claudia Bănescu George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș Manuela Cucerea George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș Valeriu Moldovan Târgu Mureș County Emergency Clinical Hospital Liliana Gozar George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș Lucian Pușcașiu George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș Original Article 10.18926/AMO/65745 Congenital heart disease is the most common malformative pathology in newborns, with a worldwide incidence at 0.4-5%. We investigated the possible relationship between variations in nucleotide sequences and specific cardiac malformations in the GATA-binding factor 4 (GATA4) exon 1 region by using Sanger sequencing. Forty-four newborns from a third-level neonatal intensive care unit who were diagnosed with nonsyndromic, ductal-dependent congenital heart disease (i.e., transposition of the great arteries or ductal-dependent coarctation of the aorta) were enrolled. Their DNA was extracted using commercial methods and tested using the multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technique. The Sanger sequencing for GATA4 exon 1 in the newborns’ DNA identified rs61277615, rs73203482, and rs35813172 variants not reported in the ClinVar archive of human variations in newborns previously diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries (n=5) and coarctation of the aorta (n=1). The identification of these novel variants in newborns with transposition of the great arteries or ductal-dependent coarctation of the aorta may be the first step in determining the variants’ contribution to the occurrence of congenital heart disease. However, these results may be inconclusive, since the observed variants within GATA4 gene were not previously reported. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press (OUP) Acta Medica Okayama 0032-0781 63 12 2022 Plant Hormonomics: A Key Tool for Deep Physiological Phenotyping to Improve Crop Productivity 1826 1839 EN Takashi Hirayama Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Keiichi Mochida RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science Agriculture is particularly vulnerable to climate change. To cope with the risks posed by climate-related stressors to agricultural production, global population growth, and changes in food preferences, it is imperative to develop new climate-smart crop varieties with increased yield and environmental resilience. Molecular genetics and genomic analyses have revealed that allelic variations in genes involved in phytohormone-mediated growth regulation have greatly improved productivity in major crops. Plant science has remarkably advanced our understanding of the molecular basis of various phytohormone-mediated events in plant life. These findings provide essential information for improving the productivity of crops growing in changing climates. In this review, we highlight the recent advances in plant hormonomics (multiple phytohormone profiling) and discuss its application to crop improvement. We present plant hormonomics as a key tool for deep physiological phenotyping, focusing on representative plant growth regulators associated with the improvement of crop productivity. Specifically, we review advanced methodologies in plant hormonomics, highlighting mass spectrometry- and nanosensor-based plant hormone profiling techniques. We also discuss the applications of plant hormonomics in crop improvement through breeding and agricultural management practices. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japanese Society of Breeding Acta Medica Okayama 1344-7610 73 3 2023 Elucidation of genetic variation and population structure of melon genetic resources in the NARO Genebank, and construction of the World Melon Core Collection 269 277 EN Gentaro Shigita Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Tran Phuong Dung Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Mst. Naznin Pervin Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Thanh-Thuy Duong Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Odirich Nnennaya Imoh Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Yuki Monden Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Hidetaka Nishida Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Katsunori Tanaka Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University Mitsuhiro Sugiyama Institute of Vegetable and Floriculture Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) Yoichi Kawazu Institute of Vegetable and Floriculture Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) Norihiko Tomooka Research Center of Genetic Resources, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) Kenji Kato Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Numerous genetic resources of major crops have been introduced from around the world and deposited in Japanese National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) Genebank. Understanding their genetic variation and selecting a representative subset (“core collection”) are essential for optimal management and efficient use of genetic resources. In this study, we conducted genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) to characterize the genetic relationships and population structure in 755 accessions of melon genetic resources. The GBS identified 39,324 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are distributed throughout the melon genome with high density (one SNP/10.6 kb). The phylogenetic relationships and population structure inferred using this SNP dataset are highly associated with the cytoplasm type and geographical origin. Our results strongly support the recent hypothesis that cultivated melon was established in Africa and India through multiple independent domestication events. Finally, we constructed a World Melon Core Collection that covers at least 82% of the genetic diversity and has a wide range of geographical origins and fruit morphology. The genome-wide SNP dataset, phylogenetic relationships, population structure, and the core collection provided in this study should largely contribute to genetic research, breeding, and genetic resource preservation in melon. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Frontiers Media Acta Medica Okayama 2624-9553 4 2022 Sea Surface Temperature and Salinity in Lombok Strait Reconstructed From Coral Sr/Ca and δ18O, 1962–2012 918273 EN Ai Genda Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Minoru Ikehara Center for Advanced Marine Core Research, Kochi University Atsushi Suzuki Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) Ali Arman Research and Technology Center for Application of Isotope and Radiation, National Research and Innovation Agency Mayuri Inoue Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Coral geochemical tracers have been used in studies of the paleoclimatology and paleoceanography of the tropics and subtropics. We measured Sr/Ca and oxygen isotope ratios (δ18O) in a coral sample collected from the southern part of Lombok Strait, a significant outlet of the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) to the Indian Ocean, to reconstruct the historical record of sea surface temperature (SST) and seawater δ18O. Seawater δ18O can be used to approximate sea surface salinity (SSS) because it reflects the balance of evaporation and precipitation. The resulting time series reconstructed SST and SSS, covering the period 1962–2012, shows no clear trend of global warming, although the record includes a large cooling event (~4°C) during 1996–1997. Although neither SST nor SSS shows a systematic relationship with El Niño–Southern Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), weak but significant correlations are found partly. In addition, the coral data show signals of major IOD and El Niño events in 1994 and 1997, respectively, although climatic trends recorded in the coral are not consistent with those found along the Java-Sumatra coast. To evaluate other influences on the ITF in Lombok Strait, we compared our coral record with coral records from sites in the Java Sea, the southern part of Makassar Strait, and Ombai Strait. During the northwest monsoon (December–January–February), variations in SST and SSS at Lombok Strait site are similar to those at the Java Sea and southern Makassar sites for the period 1962–1995, which suggests that low-salinity water from the Java Sea is carried at least to the southern part of Makassar Strait where it suppresses the ITF upstream from Lombok Strait. However, the SST and SSS records differ at the three sites during the southeast monsoon (June–July–August), indicating that surface conditions in Lombok Strait vary separately from those in the Java Sea. In the longer term, although global warming has been widely identified in the Indonesian Seas, the coral record shows no clear warming trend in the southern part of Lombok Strait, where fluctuations in the ITF may be modulating the distribution of heat in the surface waters of the western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Nature Portfolio Acta Medica Okayama 2045-2322 13 1 2023 Refining the evolutionary tree of the horse Y chromosome 8954 EN Elif Bozlak Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Lara Radovic Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Viktoria Remer Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Doris Rigler Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Lucy Allen Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Gottfried Brem Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Gabrielle Stalder Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Caitlin Castaneda School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University Gus Cothran School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University Terje Raudsepp School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University Yu Okuda Museum of Dinosaur Research, Okayama University of Science Kyaw Kyaw Moe Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Veterinary Science Hla Hla Moe Department of Genetics and Animal Breeding, University of Veterinary Science Bounthavone Kounnavongsa National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (Lao) Resources, Livestock Research Center Soukanh Keonouchanh Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University Nguyen Huu Van Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University Van Hai Vu Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University Manoj Kumar Shah Faculty of Animal Science, Veterinary Science and Fisheries, Agriculture and Forestry University Masahide Nishibori Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University Polat Kazymbet Radiobiological Research Institute, JSC Astana Medical University Meirat Bakhtin Institute of Biotechnology, National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic Asankadyr Zhunushov Institute of Biotechnology, National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic Ripon Chandra Paul Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Bumbein Dashnyam Institute of Biological Sciences, Mongolian Academy of Sciences Ken Nozawa Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University Saria Almarzook Albrecht Daniel Thaer‑Institut, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Gudrun A. Brockmann Albrecht Daniel Thaer‑Institut, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Monika Reissmann Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University Douglas F. Antczak Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University Donald C. Miller Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University Raheleh Sadeghi Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University Ines von Butler-Wemken Barb Horse Breeding Organisation VFZB E. V., Verein der Freunde und Züchter Des Berberpferdes E.V. Nikos Kostaras Amaltheia Haige Han Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Equine Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University Dugarjaviin Manglai Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Equine Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science, Equine Research Center, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University Abdugani Abdurasulov Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Geography, Osh State University Boldbaatar Sukhbaatar Sector of Surveillance and Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases, State Central Veterinary Laboratory Katarzyna Ropka-Molik National Research Institute of Animal Production, Animal Molecular Biology Monika Stefaniuk-Szmukier National Research Institute of Animal Production, Animal Molecular Biology Maria Susana Lopes Biotechnology Centre of Azores, University of Azores Artur da Câmara Machado Biotechnology Centre of Azores, University of Azores Valery V. Kalashnikov All-Russian Research Institute for Horse Breeding Liliya Kalinkova All-Russian Research Institute for Horse Breeding Alexander M. Zaitev All-Russian Research Institute for Horse Breeding Miguel Novoa-Bravo Genética Animal de Colombia SAS. Gabriella Lindgren Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Samantha Brooks Department of Animal Science, UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida Laura Patterson Rosa Department of Agriculture and Industry, Sul Ross State University Ludovic Orlando Centre d’Anthropobiologie et de Génomique de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier Rytis Juras School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University Tetsuo Kunieda Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Barbara Wallner Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna The Y chromosome carries information about the demography of paternal lineages, and thus, can prove invaluable for retracing both the evolutionary trajectory of wild animals and the breeding history of domesticates. In horses, the Y chromosome shows a limited, but highly informative, sequence diversity, supporting the increasing breeding influence of Oriental lineages during the last 1500 years. Here, we augment the primary horse Y-phylogeny, which is currently mainly based on modern horse breeds of economic interest, with haplotypes (HT) segregating in remote horse populations around the world. We analyze target enriched sequencing data of 5 Mb of the Y chromosome from 76 domestic males, together with 89 whole genome sequenced domestic males and five Przewalski's horses from previous studies. The resulting phylogeny comprises 153 HTs defined by 2966 variants and offers unprecedented resolution into the history of horse paternal lineages. It reveals the presence of a remarkable number of previously unknown haplogroups in Mongolian horses and insular populations. Phylogenetic placement of HTs retrieved from 163 archaeological specimens further indicates that most of the present-day Y-chromosomal variation evolved after the domestication process that started around 4200 years ago in the Western Eurasian steppes. Our comprehensive phylogeny significantly reduces ascertainment bias and constitutes a robust evolutionary framework for analyzing horse population dynamics and diversity. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0022-5223 165 2 2023 Modified single-patch repair for atrioventricular septal defects results in good functional outcomes in the absence of deep ventricular septal defects 411 421 EN Yasuyuki Kobayashi Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Okayama University Hospital Shingo Kasahara Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Okayama University Hospital Shunji Sano Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of California Yasuhiro Kotani Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Okayama University Hospital Objectives<br> We compared 2-patch repair (TP) with modified single-patch repair (MSP) for complete atrioventricular septal defects and evaluated their effect on the left atrioventricular valve (LAVV) competence. We also identified risk factors for unfavorable functional outcomes.<br> <br> Methods<br> This retrospective study included 118 patients with complete atrioventricular septal defects who underwent intracardiac repair from 1998 to 2020 (MSP: 69; TP: 49). The median follow-up period was 10.4 years. The functional outcome of freedom from moderate or greater LAVV regurgitation (LAVVR) was estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method.<br> <br> Results<br> The hospital mortality was 1.7% (2/118) and late mortality was 0.8% (1/118). Eight patients required LAVV-related reoperation (MSP: 4; TP: 4) and none required left ventricular outflow tract-related reoperation. In the MSP group without LAVV anomaly, the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the ventricular septal defect (VSD) depth was strongly associated with moderate or greater postoperative LAVVR, with the best cutoff at 10.9 mm. When stratified according to the combination of intracardiac repair type and VSD depth, the MSP-deep VSD (VSD depth >11 mm) group showed the worst LAVV competence among the 4 groups (P = .002). According to multivariate analysis, weight <4.0 kg, LAVV anomaly, and moderate or greater preoperative LAVVR were independent risk factors for moderate or greater postoperative LAVVR, whereas MSP was not a risk factor.<br> <br> Conclusions<br> Postoperative LAVVR remains an obstacle to improved functional outcomes. MSP provides LAVV competence similar to TP unless deep VSD is present. The surgical approach should be selected on the basis of anatomical variations, specifically VSD depth. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学理学部地球科学科 Acta Medica Okayama 1340-7414 29 1 2023 岡山県吉備中央町賀陽周辺の古第三系〜新第三系の地質と吉備高原面のゆるやかな曲隆 1 27 EN Hajime TANAKA Seibu Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd. Shigeyuki SUZUKI Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University 10.18926/ESR/65479 The Paleogene to Neogene successions which are composed of the Paleogene Kayo Formation, the late Oligocene to earliest Miocene Yagane Formation and the middle Miocene Ukan Formation are sporadically distributed in the Kibi Plateau region, surrounding area of Kibichuou Town, Okayama Prefecture, Southwest Japan. The gravel of the Kayo Formation occupied paleo-valley of Pre-Paleogene basement. The Yagane and Ukan formations unconformably overlay Pre-Paleogene rocks and occupy the gentle valley on the Kibi Surface as valley fill deposits.<br> The fluvial of the Kayo Formation is mainly composed of conglomerate with minor amount of sandstone and mudstone. The fluvial Yagane Formation is mainly composed of conglomerate and associated with sandstone, mudstone and coal beds. The marine Ukan Formation is subdivided into 3 members, the Yamagata Muddy sandstone Member (YMM), the Shimoyokomi Sandstone Member (SSM) and the Tsuneyama Mudstone Member (TMM) in ascending order. The YMM is characterized by the bio-disturbed very poorly sorted muddy sandstone with frequent burrows, which indicate tidal flat deposits. The SSM is mainly composed of parallel bedded well-sorted sandstone with occasional burrows, which suggest near shore deposits. The TMM is composed of homogeneous clay rich mudstone, which implies off shore deposits.<br> The boundary between the SSM and TMM (the contact of the sandstone and mudstone) is distinctive and correlative throughout the study area. The boundary is considered to be formed under similar water depth. The variations of the boundary height indicate a later ground movement. From the north to the south in about 25km distance, the height of the boundary changes 260m (in Ukan), 300m (in Takeshou), 360m (in Kibikogentoshi) and 260m (in Nichiouji). It indicates that a very gentle upwarping of the Kibi Plateau Surface was formed after the deposition of the Miocene. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2023 Endoscopic findings of gastric neoplasms in familial adenomatous polyposis are associated with the phenotypic variations and grades of dysplasia EN Mayu KOBASHI Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japanese Society of Breeding Acta Medica Okayama 1344-7610 73 2 2023 Melon diversity on the Silk Road by molecular phylogenetic analysis in Kazakhstan melons 219 229 EN Katsunori Tanaka Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University Mitsuhiro Sugiyama Institute of Vegetable and Floriculture Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) Gentaro Shigita Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Ryoma Murakami Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University Thanh-Thuy Duong Faculty of Agronomy, University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University Yasheng Aierken Center for Hami Melon, Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences Anna M Artemyeva All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources on the name of N.I.Vavilov (VIR) Zharas Mamypbelov Kazakhstan Research Institute of Potato and Vegetable Growing LLC Ryuji Ishikawa Faculty of Agriculture and Life Science, Hirosaki University Hidetaka Nishida Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Kenji Kato Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University To uncover population structure, phylogenetic relationship, and diversity in melons along the famous Silk Road, a seed size measurement and a phylogenetic analysis using five chloroplast genome markers, 17 RAPD markers and 11 SSR markers were conducted for 87 Kazakh melon accessions with reference accessions. Kazakh melon accessions had large seed with exception of two accessions of weedy melon, Group Agrestis, and consisted of three cytoplasm types, of which Ib-1/-2 and Ib-3 were dominant in Kazakhstan and nearby areas such as northwestern China, Central Asia and Russia. Molecular phylogeny showed that two unique genetic groups, STIa-2 with Ib-1/-2 cytoplasm and STIa-1 with Ib-3 cytoplasm, and one admixed group, STIAD combined with STIa and STIb, were prevalent across all Kazakh melon groups. STIAD melons that phylogenetically overlapped with STIa-1 and STIa-2 melons were frequent in the eastern Silk Road region, including Kazakhstan. Evidently, a small population contributed to melon development and variation in the eastern Silk Road. Conscious preservation of fruit traits specific to Kazakh melon groups is thought to play a role in the conservation of Kazakh melon genetic variation during melon production, where hybrid progenies were generated through open pollination. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0748-7983 48 3 2022 Impact of the national sarcoma guidelines on the prevalence and outcome of inadvertent excisions of soft tissue sarcomas: An observational study from a UK tertiary referral centre 533 540 EN Tomohiro Fujiwara Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Scott Evans Oncology Service, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Jonathan Stevenson Oncology Service, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Yusuke Tsuda Oncology Service, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Jonathan Gregory Oncology Service, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Robert Grimer Oncology Service, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Adesegun Abudu Oncology Service, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Objectives: This study aims to investigate the impact of the national guideline on the prevalence and outcome in patients with soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) who had undergone inadvertent excisions.<br> Methods: A total of 2336 patients were referred to a tertiary sarcoma centre from six regions (North East, North West, East Midlands, West Midlands, Wales, and South West) in the United Kingdom with a diagnosis of STS between 1996 and 2016, of whom 561 patients (24.0%) had undergone inadvertent excisions. Patients were categorised into two groups of 10-year periods pre and post the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline implementation in 2006.<br> Results: The proportion of inadvertent excisions decreased after the NICE guideline implementation: 27.2% (pre-NICE) versus 19.8% (post-NICE) (p = 0.001). A substantial regional variation (17.4%–34.5%) in the proportion of inadvertent excisions in the pre-NICE era was reduced in the post-NICE era (14.3%–22.4%). The 5-year disease-specific survival was 77.7% (pre-NICE) versus 75.6% (post-NICE) (p = 0.961) and there was a trend toward lower incidence of local recurrence in the post-NICE era; 13.5% (pre-NICE) versus 10.5% (post-NICE) (p = 0.522). Multivariate analyses revealed that residual tumours in re-resection specimens were independently associated with an increased risk of disease-specific mortality (HR, 3.35; p < 0.001) and local recurrence (HR, 1.99; p = 0.017), which was significantly reduced after the NICE guideline implementation (53.2% versus 42.0%; p = 0.022).<br> Conclusions: The NICE guideline implementation reduced the proportion of patients with STS who had undergone inadvertent excisions and residual tumour in re-resection specimens, indicating an improved pre-referral management of STSs. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Geophysical Union Acta Medica Okayama 2169-9313 128 5 2023 Lithium Isotope Constraints on Slab and Mantle Contribution to Arc Magmas e2022JB025670 EN Wei Zhang The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Hiroshi Kitagawa The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Eizo Nakamura The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Dehydration of subducting oceanic lithosphere (slab) induces Li-isotope fractionation between the fluid and the slab, suggested by the δ7Li variation (∼10‰) in exhumed subduction complexes. Given that arc magmas represent melt of the supraslab mantle, a large δ7Li variation is anticipated for arc volcanic rocks. However, the δ7Li values in these rocks are mostly homogeneous within the range of mid-ocean ridge basalts (+1.6 to +5.6‰). The lack of a subduction-related δ7Li signature has been explained by (1) homogenization by mixing of different magma sources, (2) loss of Li from the slab via dehydration, or (3) homogenization by diffusive exchange of slab-derived Li and the mantle. The Chugoku district in SW Japan is an ideal place to study the process responsible for Li-isotope variation in arc magmas, since the Chugoku volcanic rocks show large δ7Li variation (–1.9 to +7.4‰). High δ7Li values (+6.3 to +7.4‰) are found in some high-Sr andesites and dacites (adakites) whereas low δ7Li values (–1.0 to –0.1‰) are found in high-Mg andesites. The parental magmas of these rocks have been sourced from subducted oceanic crust and sediments, respectively, with various extents of the interaction with wedge mantle. The limited extents of Li isotope modification are indicated by the similarity of the δ7Li values of these rocks and their supposed sources. The models for a slab dehydration and a diffusive exchange between slab-derived melt and mantle demonstrate that the δ7Li signatures of the sources can be preserved in the adakites if they ascent rapidly in mantle. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier BV Acta Medica Okayama 0901-5027 52 4 2023 Relationships between squamous cell carcinoma antigen and cytokeratin 19 fragment values and renal function in oral cancer patients 417 422 EN K. Obata Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences H. Yutori Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences K. Yoshida Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Y. Sakamoto Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences K. Ono Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences S. Ibaragi Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) and cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA) are used to screen and monitor oral cancer patients. However, recent studies have reported that tumour markers become elevated as renal function decreases, regardless of tumour progression. A retrospective study was performed of 423 oral cancer patients who underwent blood testing for these tumour markers and other blood analytes during a 10-year period. The values of SCC-Ag and CYFRA increased significantly with decreasing renal function (P < 0.01), and the values were abnormal at a median 2.6 ng/ml for SCC-Ag and 4.7 ng/ml for CYFRA in the group with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values of< 30 ml/min/1.73 m2. The factors that were related to the variation in tumour markers were albumin and creatinine. The cut-off values of eGFR were 59.7 ml/min/1.73 m2 for SCC-Ag and 63.6 ml/min/1.73 m2 for CYFRA, and the cut-off age when the tumour markers might rise due to the effect of renal function were 72 years for SCC-Ag and 73 years for CYFRA. In conclusion, decreased renal function should be taken into account when evaluating tumour markers in oral cancer. In addition, tumour markers are likely to be overestimated in patients over the age of 72–73 years. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山医学会 Acta Medica Okayama 0030-1558 134 3 2022 ステロイド使用中の高齢者に生じたCOVID-19院内再燃症例 171 175 EN Koji Fujita Department of General Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Tsuyama Chuo Hospital Kazuki Ocho Department of Internal Medicine, Ishikawa Hospital 　During a pandemic like the novel coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19), the availability of inpatient beds is always a major issue. Thus, it is extremely important to release patients from isolation efficiently in order to maintain stable bed operations. However, in clinical practice, patients may develop fever again, before or after the timing specified by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) for lifting isolation, and hence it may be difficult to determine whether the fever is due to a delay in recovery or due to relapse. The diagnosis of relapse is based primarily on the recurrence of symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and a positive PCR result, but few reports have focused on comparing the patterns of variation in two or more blood test findings over the course of the disease. In the present study, we study a case of relapse in an elderly patient on immunosuppressive drugs.<br> 　Understanding the unique patterns of variability between baseline blood test values and acute infection test values in each individual patient may serve as an adjunctive tool to help diagnose COVID-19 relapse. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 2304-8158 12 6 2023 Taste Responses and Ingestive Behaviors to Ingredients of Fermented Milk in Mice 1150 EN Yuko Yamase Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hai Huang Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yoshihiro Mitoh Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Masahiko Egusa Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takuya Miyawaki Department of Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Dentistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Ryusuke Yoshida Department of Oral Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Fermented milk is consumed worldwide because of its nutritious and healthful qualities. Although it is somewhat sour, causing some to dislike it, few studies have examined taste aspects of its ingredients. Wild-type mice and T1R3-GFP-KO mice lacking sweet/umami receptors were tested with various taste components (sucrose, galactose, lactose, galacto-oligosaccharides, fructo-oligosaccharides, l- and d-lactic acid) using 48 h two-bottle tests and short-term lick tests. d-lactic acid levels were measured after the ingestion of d- or; l-lactic acid or water to evaluate d-lactic acidosis. In wild-type mice, for the sweet ingredients the number of licks increased in a concentration-dependent manner, but avoidance was observed at higher concentrations in 48 h two-bottle tests; the sour ingredients d- and l-lactic acid showed concentration-dependent decreases in preference in both short- and long-term tests. In 48 h two-bottle tests comparing d- and l-lactic acid, wild-type but not T1R3-GFP-KO mice showed higher drinking rates for l-lactic acid. d-lactic acidosis did not occur and thus did not contribute to this preference. These results suggest that intake in short-term lick tests varied by preference for each ingredient, whereas intake variation in long-term lick tests reflects postingestive effects. l-lactic acid may have some palatable taste in addition to sour taste. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 77 1 2023 Image Quality Assessment of Deep Learning Image Reconstruction in Torso Computed Tomography Using Tube Current Modulation 45 55 EN Kazuhiro Takeuchi Department of Radiology, Kagawa University Hospital Yasuhiro Ide Department of Radiology, Kagawa University Hospital Yuichiro Mori Department of Radiology, Kagawa University Hospital Yusuke Uehara Department of Radiology, Kagawa University Hospital Hiroshi Sukeishi Department of Radiology, Kagawa University Hospital Sachiko Goto Department of Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Original Article 10.18926/AMO/64361 Novel deep learning image reconstruction (DLIR) reportedly changes the image quality characteristics based on object contrast and image noise. In clinical practice, computed tomography image noise is usually controlled by tube current modulation (TCM) to accommodate changes in object size. This study aimed to evaluate the image quality characteristics of DLIR for different object sizes when the in-plane noise was controlled by TCM. Images acquisition was performed on a GE Revolution CT system to investigate the impact of the DLIR algorithm compared to the standard reconstructions of filtered-back projection (FBP) and hybrid iterative reconstruction (hybrid-IR). The image quality assessment was performed using phantom images, and an observer study was conducted using clinical cases. The image quality assessment confirmed the excellent noise- reduction performance of DLIR, despite variations due to phantom size. Similarly, in the observer study, DLIR received high evaluations regardless of the body parts imaged. We evaluated a novel DLIR algorithm by replicating clinical behaviors. Consequently, DLIR exhibited higher image quality than those of FBP and hybrid-IR in both phantom and observer studies, albeit the value depended on the reconstruction strength, and proved itself capable of providing stable image quality in clinical use. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 2075-4426 13 1 2022 Reliability of the Garden Alignment Index and Valgus Tilt Measurement for Nondisplaced Femoral Neck Fractures 53 EN Yasuaki Yamakawa Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kochi Health Sciences Center Norio Yamamoto Department of Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yosuke Tomita Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Care, Takasaki University of Health and Welfare Ryuichiro Okuda Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kochi Health Sciences Center Yasutaka Masada Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kochi Health Sciences Center Akihiro Shiroshita Scientific Research Works Peer Support Group (SRWS-PSG) Toshiyuki Matsumoto Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kochi Health Sciences Center Anteroposterior (AP) alignment assessment for nondisplaced femoral neck fractures is important for determining the treatment strategy and predicting postoperative outcomes. AP alignment is generally measured using the Garden alignment index (GAI). However, its reliability remains unknown. We compared the reliability of GAI and a new AP alignment measurement (valgus tilt measurement [VTM]) using preoperative AP radiographs of nondisplaced femoral neck fractures. The study was designed as an intra- and inter-rater reliability analysis. The raters were four trauma surgeons who assessed 50 images twice. The main outcome was the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). To calculate intra- and inter-rater reliability, we used a mixed-effects model considering rater, patient, and time. The overall ICC (95% CI) of GAI and VTM for intra-rater reliability was 0.92 (0.89-0.94) and 0.86 (0.82-0.89), respectively. The overall ICC of GAI and VTM for inter-rater reliability was 0.92 (0.89-0.95), and 0.85 (0.81-0.88), respectively. The intra- and inter-rater reliability of GAI was higher in patients aged <80 years than in patients aged >= 80 years. Our results showed that GAI is a more reliable measurement method than VTM, although both are reliable. Variations in patient age should be considered in GAI measurements. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 2071-1050 15 1 2022 Interspecific Variability in Growth Characteristics and Phytoremediation of Cu by Free-Floating Azolla Macrophytes 497 EN Muhammad Shahbaz Akhtar Department of Environmental Sciences, Forman Christian College University Sohaib Aslam Department of Environmental Sciences, Forman Christian College University Allah Ditta Department of Environmental Sciences, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Bedur Faleh A. Albalawi Department of Biology, University of Tabuk Yoko Oki Department of Environmental Management Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Yoshitaka Nakashima Department of Environmental Management Engineering, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University The phytoremediation potential of aquatic plants, particularly for Cu, is scarcely reported in the pertinent literature. In this regard, differential growth behavior and phytoaccumulation ability of three free-floating Azolla species (A. japonica, A. pinnata, and A. hybrid) were evaluated in a climatically controlled (a temperature of 25/20 degrees C, light/dark 16/8 h, a light intensity of 60 mu mol m(-2) s(-1), and a relative humidity of 65%) microcosm study. Azolla plants were exposed to solutions having three Cu concentrations (0, 3, and 6 mg L-1) under two incubation periods (4 and 8 days). Different Cu treatments significantly reduced Azolla biomass during both incubation periods and A. pinnata was the most sensitive species. Azolla plants grown in aqueous solutions showed substantial variations in Cu removal capacity. Higher bioconcentration values displayed by Azolla plants indicated that these plants can be deployed as potential plants for Cu removal from Cu contaminated water. Nevertheless, the plants exposed to higher Cu concentrations displayed color changes and root detachment due to Cu phytotoxic effects which may also ultimately lead to plant death. Significant correlations between Cu removed from the aqueous solutions and Cu contents of plant biomass indicated that Cu phytoremediation by Azolla plants was due to the phytoaccumulation mechanism because the removed Cu from aqueous solutions was accumulated in plant biomass. Introduced Azolla species, i.e., A. hybrid, displayed comparable Cu removal efficiency with naturally grown Azolla species, i.e., A. japonica and A. pinnata. Tested Azolla species proved to be suitable candidates to remediate Cu contaminated water and can be deployed for phytoremediation. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Public Library Science Acta Medica Okayama 1932-6203 17 8 2022 Intraspecies variation of the mitochondrial genome: An evaluation for phylogenetic approaches based on the conventional choices of genes and segments on mitogenome e0273330 EN Jesús Morón-López Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Karen Vergara Laboratorio de Genética, Acuicultura & Biodiversidad, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Biodiversidad, Universidad de Los Lagos Masanao Sato Division of Applied Bioscience, Graduate School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University Gonzalo Gajardo Laboratorio de Genética, Acuicultura & Biodiversidad, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Biodiversidad, Universidad de Los Lagos Shoko Ueki Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Intraspecies nucleotide sequence variation is a key to understanding the evolutionary history of a species, such as the geographic distribution and population structure. To date, numerous phylogenetic and population genetics studies have been conducted based on the sequences of a gene or an intergenic region on the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA), such as cytochrome c oxidase subunits or the D-loop. To evaluate the credibility of the usage of such 'classic' markers, we compared the phylogenetic inferences based on the analyses of the partial and entire mtDNA sequences. Importantly, the phylogenetic reconstruction based on the short marker sequences did not necessarily reproduce the tree topologies based on the analyses of the entire mtDNA. In addition, analyses on the datasets of various organisms revealed that the analyses based on the classic markers yielded phylogenetic trees with poor confidence in all tested cases compared to the results based on full-length mtDNA. These results demonstrated that phylogenetic analyses based on complete mtDNA sequences yield more insightful results compared to those based on mitochondrial genes and segments. To ameliorate the shortcomings of the classic markers, we identified a segment of mtDNA that may be used as an 'approximate marker' to closely reproduce the phylogenetic inference obtained from the entire mtDNA in the case of mammalian species, which can be utilized to design amplicon-seq-based studies. Our study demonstrates the importance of the choice of mitochondrial markers for phylogenetic analyses and proposes a novel approach to choosing appropriate markers for mammalian mtDNA that reproduces the phylogenetic inferences obtained from full-length mtDNA. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 76 6 2022 Handling of Germline Findings in Clinical Comprehensive Cancer Genomic Profiling 673 678 EN Mika Okazawa-Sakai Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yasuko Yamamoto Department of Cancer Genomic Medicine, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center Mashu Futagawa Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Miki Okamura Department of Hereditary Tumors, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center Satoko Miyawaki Department of Cancer Genomic Medicine, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center Tomohiro Nishina Department of Cancer Genomic Medicine, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center Kazuhiro Takehara Department of Gynecologic Oncology, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center Toshiyuki Kozuki Department of Clinical Research Center, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center Shuta Tomida Center for Comprehensive Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Ichinosuke Hyodo Department of Cancer Genomic Medicine, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center Shozo Ohsumi Department of Hereditary Tumors, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center Akira Hirasawa Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Original Article 10.18926/AMO/64117 Patients found to have presumed germline pathogenic variants (PGPVs) during comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) require genetic counseling (GC) referrals. We retrospectively investigated the outcomes of patients with PGPVs. Among 159 patients who underwent CGP, we recommended GC for the 16 patients with PGPVs (3 with [FG group] and 13 without [G Group] a family/personal history of hereditary cancer) as well as for the 8 patients with no PGPVs, but a history (F group); 2 (67%), 5 (38%), and 3 (38%) patients received GC in the FG, G, and F groups, respectively. Germline testing results were positive in 1 and 2 patients of the FG and G groups, respectively. Among the patients recommended for GC, 58% did not receive GC due to lack of interest, poor performance status, or death. CGP contributes to the identification of germline variants in patients without a history of hereditary cancer. However, the proportion of patients who undergo GC should be improved. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2022 Reconstructions of temporal and spatial variations in surface conditions of the Indonesian Seas based on geochemical tracers in modern coral skeletons EN Ai GENDA Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama university No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 76 5 2022 Surgery Outcomes for Pulmonary Metastases from Renal Cell Carcinoma 585 591 EN Haruki Choshi Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Iwakuni Clinical Center Mototsugu Watanabe Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Iwakuni Clinical Center Shinichi Furukawa Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Iwakuni Clinical Center Hiroyuki Ujike Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Iwakuni Clinical Center Kazuhiko Kataoka Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Iwakuni Clinical Center Original Article 10.18926/AMO/64040 Pulmonary metastatic resection is a standard therapy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Although patients with pulmonary metastases who do not undergo any treatment have poor prognoses, it has been reported that resection for pulmonary metastases yields good clinical outcomes. We investigated the prognoses of the 10 Japanese patients (eight males, two females) who underwent a surgical resection of pulmonary metastasectomy from RCC at our institution between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2020 and analyzed the prognostic factors. We determined the prognoses and calculated the 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates. To identify prognostic factors, we compared the median DFS duration for each factor. Elderly patients (median age, 75.5 years) were more predominant compared to previous studies, and all 10 patients underwent a complete resection. The 5-year DFS rate was 30.5% (95%CI: 0.045-0.63) and the 5-year OS rate was 80% (95%CI: 0.20-0.97). The following factors were associated with better prognosis: female, disease-free interval≥36 months, and metastases size<12 mm. These results indicate that complete resection for pulmonary metastases from RCC resulted in good clinical outcomes, particularly for patients with better prognostic factors. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 76 5 2022 Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 Levels in Patients with Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis 527 533 EN Seiichiro Makihara Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shin Kariya Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shotaro Miyamoto Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Kagawa Rosai Hospital Kensuke Uraguchi Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Aiko Oka Department of Otorhinolaryngology, International University of Health and Welfare, School of Medicine Munechika Tsumura Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Kagawa Rosai Hospital Yohei Noda Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mizuo Ando Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mitsuhiro Okano Department of Otorhinolaryngology, International University of Health and Welfare, School of Medicine Original Article 10.18926/AMO/64033 No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 76 5 2022 Gestational Outcomes and Birth Weight in Japanese Women at the Upper and Lower limits of the Normal BMI range 519 526 EN Yoko Ishioka Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Hiroyuki Yamashita Yamaguchi Rosai Hospital Kinya Hamaguchi Hamaguchi Women's Clinic Yoshitaka Kuwahara Kuwahara Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic Kaoru Nakamura Okinawa Kyoudou Hospital Mikiya Nakatsuka Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Original Article 10.18926/AMO/64032 To examine the outcome of gestational blood pressure and birth weight in women with normal pre-pregnancy BMI (18.5-25 kg/m2) who are at the lower and upper limits of this range, i.e., slightly underweight or slightly overweight. Overall, 2,038 Japanese women with low -risk who had delivered during January 2014–December 2016 were classified according to their pre-pregnancy BMI: underweight (< 18.5 kg/m2), slightly underweight (18.5≤BMI<21 kg/m2), normal (21≤BMI<23 kg/m2), slightly overweight (23≤BMI<25 kg/m2) and overweight (≤ 25 kg/m2). Their blood pressure during each trimester and birth weight was evaluated. The slightly overweight group showed a significantly higher blood pressure than the underweight and slightly underweight groups. Birth weight was lower in the slightly underweight than in the slightly overweight group (p<0.01). The incidence rate of “heavy for dates” (HFD) infants was significantly higher in the slightly overweight and overweight groups than in the other groups (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Weight gain of < 7 kg significantly increased the rate of “light for dates” (LFD) infants, while a weight gain of ≥13 kg significantly increased the rate of HFD infants (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). Blood pressure during pregnancy was ssociated with pre-pregnancy BMI. The birth weight of infants of low-risk pregnant women is affected by both pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 76 5 2022 Current Insights into Mesenchymal Signatures in Glioblastoma 489 502 EN Yuji Matsumoto Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tomotsugu Ichikawa Department of Neurological Surgery, Kagawa Prefectural Central Hospital Kazuhiko Kurozumi Department of Neurosurgery, Hamamatsu University Hospital Isao Date Department of Neurological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Review 10.18926/AMO/64024 Glioblastoma (GBM) is a fatal primary malignant brain tumor in adults. Despite decades of research, the prognosis for GBM patients is still disappointing. One major reason for the intense therapeutic resistance of GBM is inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity. GBM-intrinsic transcriptional profiling has suggested the presence of at least three subtypes of GBM: the proneural, classic, and mesenchymal subtypes. The mesenchymal subtype is the most aggressive, and patients with the mesenchymal subtype of primary and recurrent tumors tend to have a worse prognosis compared with patients with the other subtypes. Furthermore, GBM can shift from other subtypes to the mesenchymal subtype over the course of disease progression or recurrence. This phenotypic transition is driven by diverse tumor-intrinsic molecular mechanisms or microenvironmental factors. Thus, better understanding of the plastic nature of mesenchymal transition in GBM is pivotal to developing new therapeutic strategies. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the elements involved in the mesenchymal transition of GBM and discuss future perspectives. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Acta Medica Okayama 0025-7974 101 41 2022 Endoscopic findings of gastric neoplasms in familial adenomatous polyposis are associated with the phenotypic variations and grades of dysplasia e30997 EN Mayu Kobashi Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Masaya Iwamuro Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Sakiko Kuraoka Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shoko Inoo Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shotaro Okanoue Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takuya Satomi Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kenta Hamada Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Makoto Abe Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshiyasu Kono Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hiromitsu Kanzaki Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Seiji Kawano Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takehiro Tanaka Department of Pathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshiro Kawahara Department of Practical Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hiroyuki Okada Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) are at increased risk of developing gastric neoplasms. However, endoscopic findings have not been sufficiently investigated. We investigated the phenotypic expression of gastric adenoma (low-grade dysplasia) and gastric cancer (high-grade dysplasia or carcinoma) in patients with FAP and clarified their relationships to endoscopic findings. Of 29 patients with FAP who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy between 2005 and 2020, 11 (38%) had histologically confirmed gastric neoplasms, including 23 lesions of gastric adenoma and 9 lesions of gastric cancer. The gastric neoplasms were classified into 3 phenotypes (gastric, mixed, or intestinal type) according to the immunostaining results and evaluated for location (U or M region: upper or middle third of the stomach or L region: lower third of the stomach), color (same as the background mucosa, whitish, or reddish), macroscopic type (elevated, flat, or depressed), background mucosal atrophy (present or absent), fundic gland polyps in the surrounding mucosa (present or absent), and morphologic changes in tumor size. Elevated whitish gastric adenomas were further subdivided by macroscopic type (flat elevated, protruded, or elevated with a central depression) and color (milky- or pinkish-white). The gastric adenomas included gastric (11/23, 48%), mixed (4/23, 17%), and intestinal (8/23, 35%) phenotypes. In contrast, no lesions of gastric cancers showed a gastric phenotype (0/9, 0%), while 5 (56%) and 4 (44%) lesions were intestinal and mixed phenotypes, respectively. Gastric cancers were significantly more likely than gastric adenomas to present as reddish depressed lesions with gastric atrophy. All gastric-type adenomas occurred in non-atrophic mucosa, in mucosa with fundic gland polyps in the periphery, in the U or M region, and as flat elevated or protruded lesions with a milky-white color. Half of the lesions increased in size. Meanwhile, the typical endoscopic features of intestinal-type adenomas included occurrence in the L region and elevated pinkish-white lesions with central depression. None of the intestinal-type adenomas increased in size during the observation period. We believe that these endoscopic features will be useful for the prompt diagnosis and appropriate management of gastric neoplasms in patients with FAP. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 76 4 2022 Perioperative Clinical Course Variables Associated with Length of Hospital Stay after Primary Intracranial Meningioma Resection 385 390 EN Tomotaka Manabe Department of Rehabilitation, Kagawa University Hospital Keisuke Miyake Department of Neurological Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University Yoshio Kaji Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University Kento Ninomiya Department of Rehabilitation, Kagawa University Hospital Chiaki Fujita Department of Division of Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University Shouichi Tanaka Department of Rehabilitation, Kagawa University Hospital Shin Morita Department of Rehabilitation, Kagawa University Hospital Takashi Tamiya Department of Neurological Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University Tetsuji Yamamoto Department of Rehabilitation, Kagawa University Hospital Original Article 10.18926/AMO/63892 The relationship between perioperative clinical course variables and postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS) in patients undergoing primary intracranial meningioma resection has not been fully elucidated. We therefore aimed to identify the perioperative clinical course variables that predict postoperative LOS in such patients. We retrospectively collected data concerning demographics, tumor characteristics, and perioperative clinical course variables in 76 patients who underwent primary intracranial meningioma resection between January 2010 and December 2019, and tested for associations with postoperative LOS. Univariate analyses showed that younger age, fewer days to postoperative initiation of standing/walking, preoperative independence in activities of daily living (ADL), and ADL independence one week after surgery were associated with shorter postoperative LOS. Multiple regression analyses with these factors identified that days to stand/walk initiation and ADL independence one week after surgery were associated with postoperative LOS. Based on these results, we conclude that rehabilitation programs that promote early mobilization and the early acquisition of independence may reduce postoperative LOS in patients who undergo primary intracranial meningioma resection. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI AG Acta Medica Okayama 1422-0067 23 15 2022 Candidate Genes in Testing Strategies for Linkage Analysis and Bioinformatic Sorting of Whole Genome Sequencing Data in Three Small Japanese Families with Idiopathic Superior Oblique Muscle Palsy 8626 EN Toshihiko Matsuo Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Chaomulige Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Mary Miyaji Department of Medical Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Osamu Hosoya Department of Medical Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Akira Saito StaGen Co., Ltd. Kazuyuki Nakazono StaGen Co., Ltd. Idiopathic superior oblique muscle palsy is a major type of paralytic, non-comitant strabismus and presents vertical and cyclo-torsional deviation of one eye against the other eye, with a large vertical fusion range and abnormal head posture such as head tilt. Genetic background is considered to play a role in its development, as patients with idiopathic superior oblique muscle palsy have varying degrees of muscle hypoplasia and, rarely, the complete absence of the muscle, that is, aplasia. In this study, whole genome sequencing was performed, and single nucleotide variations and short insertions/deletions (SNVs/InDels) were annotated in two patients each in three small families (six patients in total) with idiopathic superior oblique muscle palsy, in addition to three normal individuals in one family. At first, linkage analysis was carried out in the three families and SNVs/InDels in chromosomal loci with negative LOD scores were excluded. Next, SNVs/InDels shared by the six patients, but not by the three normal individuals, were chosen. SNVs/InDels were further narrowed down by choosing low-frequency (&lt;1%) or non-registered SNVs/InDels in four databases for the Japanese population, and then by choosing SNVs/InDels with functional influence, leading to one candidate gene, SSTR5-AS1 in chromosome 16. The six patients were heterozygous for 13-nucleotide deletion in SSTR5-AS1, except for one homozygous patient, while the three normal individuals were wild type. Targeted polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing of PCR products confirmed the 13-nucleotide deletion in SSTR5-AS1. In the face of newly-registered SSTR5-AS1 13-nucleotide deletion at a higher frequency in a latest released database for the Japanese population, the skipping of low-frequency and non-registration sorting still resulted in only 13 candidate genes including SSTR5-AS1 as common variants. The skipping of linkage analysis also led to the same set of 13 candidate genes. Different testing strategies that consisted of linkage analysis and simple unintentional bioinformatics could reach candidate genes in three small families with idiopathic superior oblique muscle palsy. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 76 2 2022 Changes in Plasma Clozapine Levels after Smoking Cessation in Japanese Inpatients with Schizophrenia: A Retrospective Cohort Study 137 143 EN Masaru Tsukahara Department of Psychiatry, Okayama Psychiatric Medical Center Ryuhei So Department of Psychiatry, Okayama Psychiatric Medical Center Yuji Yada Department of Psychiatry, Okayama Psychiatric Medical Center Masafumi Kodama Department of Psychiatry, Okayama Psychiatric Medical Center Yoshiki Kishi Department of Psychiatry, Okayama Psychiatric Medical Center Norihito Yamada Department of Neuropsychiatry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Original Article 10.18926/AMO/63407 Although reported for Caucasians, changes in plasma clozapine levels after smoking cessation in East Asians remain unclear. We here investigated plasma clozapine levels before and after smoking cessation in Japanese inpatients with schizophrenia. We conducted a retrospective chart review of 14 inpatients with schizophrenia who were being treated with clozapine between June 1, 2019, and July 31, 2019 and who were smokers as of July 1, 2019, the day on which a smoking ban was instituted in the tertiary public psychiatric hospital. The primary outcome was individual differences in plasma clozapine levels between before and after the smoking ban, which were compared using paired t-tests. The mean plasma clozapine level was significantly increased, by 213.4 ng/mL (95% CI 119.9-306.8; p<0.01) or 53.2%. Four of the 14 inpatients experienced clinically significant side effects, such as myoclonus, drooling, and amnesia, due to the development of high plasma clozapine levels. Our findings indicated that close monitoring of plasma clozapine levels before and after smoking cessation and prior dose adjustment of clozapine may be necessary, to prevent a significant risk of developing high plasma clozapine levels, even in Japanese patients. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Hindawi Ltd. Acta Medica Okayama 2314-6745 2022 2022 The Association of Postprandial Triglyceride Variability with Renal Dysfunction and Microalbuminuria in Patients with Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus: A Retrospective and Observational Study 3157841 EN Natsumi Matsuoka-Uchiyama Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Haruhito A. Uchida Department of Chronic Kidney Disease and Cardiovascular Disease, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shugo Okamoto Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yasuhiro Onishi Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Katsuyoshi Katayama Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mariko Tsuchida-Nishiwaki Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hidemi Takeuchi Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Rika Takemoto Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshiko Hada Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ryoko Umebayashi Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Naoko Kurooka Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kenji Tsuji Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Jun Eguchi Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hirofumi Nakajima Nakashima Hospital Kenichi Shikata Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Jun Wada Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Objective. We examined whether or not day-to-day variations in lipid profiles, especially triglyceride (TG) variability, were associated with the exacerbation of diabetic kidney disease. Methods. We conducted a retrospective and observational study. First, 527 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who had had their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) checked every 6 months since 2012 for over 5 years were registered. Variability in postprandial TG was determined using the standard deviation (SD), SD adjusted (Adj-SD) for the number of measurements, and maximum minus minimum difference (MMD) during the first three years of follow-up. The endpoint was a & GE;40% decline from baseline in the eGFR, initiation of dialysis or death. Next, 181 patients who had no micro- or macroalbuminuria in February 2013 were selected from among the 527 patients for an analysis. The endpoint was the incidence of microalbuminuria, initiation of dialysis, or death. Results. Among the 527 participants, 110 reached a & GE;40% decline from baseline in the eGFR or death. The renal survival was lower in the higher-SD, higher-Adj-SD, and higher-MMD groups than in the lower-SD, lower-Adj-SD, and lower-MMD groups, respectively (log-rank test p=0.0073, 0.0059, and 0.0195, respectively). A lower SD, lower Adj-SD, and lower MMD were significantly associated with the renal survival in the adjusted model (hazard ratio, 1.62, 1.66, 1.59; 95% confidence intervals, 1.05-2.53, 1.08-2.58, 1.04-2.47, respectively). Next, among 181 participants, 108 developed microalbuminuria or death. The nonincidence of microalbuminuria was lower in the higher-SD, higher-Adj-SD, and higher-MMD groups than in the lower-SD, lower-Adj-SD, and lower-MMD groups, respectively (log-rank test p=0.0241, 0.0352, and 0.0474, respectively). Conclusions. Postprandial TG variability is a novel risk factor for eGFR decline and the incidence of microalbuminuria in patients with type 2 DM. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press (OUP) Acta Medica Okayama 1574-6968 369 1 2022 Heterogeneous IgE reactivities to Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains in dogs with atopic dermatitis, and the identification of DM13-domain-containing protein as a bacterial IgE-reactive molecule fnac019 EN Iyo Takemura-Uchiyama Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hiroki Tsurui School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Fuchinobe 1-17-71 Hidekatsu Shimakura School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University Tadahiro Nasukawa School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University Ichiro Imanishi School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University Jumpei Uchiyama Department of Bacteriology, Graduate School of Medicine Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama Universty Tomoki Fukuyama School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University Shuji Sakamoto Science Research Center, Kochi Medical School Keiko Morisawa Science Research Center, Kochi Medical School Masato Fujimura Fujimura Animal Hospital Hironobu Murakami School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University Shuji Kanamaru Department of Life Science and Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology Kenji Kurokawa Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University Keiko Kawamoto School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University Keita Iyori Vet Derm Tokyo, Dermatological and Laboratory Service for Animals Masahiro Sakaguchi School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University <i>Staphylococcus pseudintermedius</i> is one of the major pathogens causing canine skin infection. In canine atopic dermatitis (AD), heterogeneous strains of S. pseudintermedius reside on the affected skin site. Because an increase in specific IgE to this bacterium has been reported, S. pseudintermedius is likely to exacerbate the severity of canine AD. In this study, the IgE reactivities to various S. pseudintermedius strains and the IgE-reactive molecules of S. pseudintermedius were investigated. First, examining the IgE reactivities to eight strains of S. pseudintermedius using 141 sera of AD dogs, strain variation of S. pseudintermedius showed 10–63% of the IgE reactivities. This is different from the expected result based on the concept of Staphylococcus aureus clonality in AD patients. Moreover, according to the western blot analysis, there were more than four proteins reactive to IgE. Subsequently, the analysis of the common IgE-reactive protein at ∼15 kDa confirmed that the DM13-domain-containing protein was reactive in AD dogs, which is not coincident with any S. aureus IgE-reactive molecules. Considering these, S. pseudintermedius is likely to exacerbate AD severity in dogs, slightly different from the case of S. aureus in human AD. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学教師教育開発センター Acta Medica Okayama 2186-1323 12 2022 テーブルトーク・ロールプレイングゲーム（TRPG）におけるASD およびADHD 児のコミュニケーション行動の変容 343 357 EN Go Kinoshita Master’ s degree program student of Graduate School of Education, Okayama University Takayuki Tanji Graduate School of Education, Okayama University 10.18926/CTED/63318 本研究では，自閉スペクトラム症(ASD)または注意欠陥多動性障害(ADHD)のある小学生3名を対象に，テーブルトーク・ロールプレイングゲーム(TRPG)を用いた余暇活動を実施し，児童同士のコミュニケーション行動の変容について検討した。加藤ら(2019)による「いただきダンジョンRPG」において，ゲーム上の場面区分「探索フェイズ」「戦闘フェイズ」が，児童同士の発話量と発話内容にどのような変化をもたらすかについて，実際の活動場面からトランスクリプトを作成して分析した。その結果，児童同士の発話量が「探索フェイズ」「戦闘フェイズ」の両方において増加し，発話内容も多様化した。この結果から，TRPG を用いた余暇活動は，同年代の他者とのコミュニケーションや交流機会の成功体験を蓄積できる活動として，ASD 児にとって有用であることが示唆された。 No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 2075-4426 12 1 2022 Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease and Variation of Its Risk Factors by the Regions in Okayama Prefecture 97 EN Ryoko Umebayashi Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Haruhito Adam Uchida Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Natsumi Matsuoka-Uchiyama Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hitoshi Sugiyama Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Jun Wada Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Objective: The prevention of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression is an important issue from health and financial perspectives. We conducted a single-year cross-sectional study to clarify the prevalence of CKD and its risk factors along with variations in these factors among five medical regions in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. Methods and Results: Data concerning the renal function and proteinuria as well as other CKD risk factors were obtained from the database of the Japanese National Health Insurance. The proportion of CKD patients at an increased risk of progression to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), classified as orange and red on the CKD heatmap, ranged from 6-9% and did not vary significantly by the regions. However, the causes of the increased severity differed between regions where renal dysfunction was predominant and regions where there were many patients with proteinuria. CKD risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyper low-density lipoprotein-cholesterolemia, obesity, smoking and lack of exercise, also differed among these regions, suggesting that different regions need tailored interventions that suit the characteristics of the region, such as an increased health checkup ratio, dietary guidance and promotion of exercise opportunities. Conclusions: Approximately 6-9% of people are at an increased risk of developing ESRD (orange or red on a CKD heatmap) among the population with National Health Insurance in Okayama Prefecture. The underlying health problems that cause CKD may differ among the regions. Thus, it is necessary to consider intervention methods for preventing CKD progression that are tailored to each region's health problems. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学農学部 Acta Medica Okayama 2186-7755 111 2022 Silene 属植物が保持する性染色体ビッグデータと性操作する菌 15 20 EN Naoko Fujita Course of Applied Plant Science, The Faculty of Agriculture, Okayama University Silene latifolia (Caryophyllaceae) is a dioecious plant that has long been used for study on sex chromosomes in plants. The advantage but also disadvantage of S. latifolia as a model system is the size of the Y chromosome that contains an extremely large male-specific region (approx. > 500 Mb). This feature implies that the evolutionary history of sex chromo-somes remains in the S. latifolia Y chromosome, while the size makes analyses esoteric. Another advantage is that plants in the genus Silene show variation in reproductive systems; most are gynodioecy (females and hermaphrodites), which is thought of as an evolutionary status before establishment of dioecy (males and females), with a few hermaphrodites and dioecy, suggesting that the genus Silene may represent an epitome of the sex chromosome evolution. Microbotryum is a biotrophic fungi, whose infection causes masculinization of the female flower, as if the fungus acts as the Y chromo-some. Though the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown, recent high-throughput sequence technologies provide many candidate genes for sex determination in plants and sex conversion by the fungus. In this article, I review and introduce studies of the Y chromosome in S. latifolia plant, the evolution of sex chromosomes in the genus Silene, the masculinization of female flowers caused by a fungus infection, and a virus vector that can be used for genetic analysis of the key genes involved in these processes. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 2075-1729 12 1 2022 Surveillance of Pathogenicity of Rhizoctonia solani Japanese Isolates with Varied Anastomosis Groups and Subgroups on Arabidopsis thaliana 76 EN Mai Mohsen Ahmed Abdelghany Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Maria Kurikawa Department of Agriculture, Okayama University Megumi Watanabe Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Hidenori Matsui Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Mikihiro Yamamoto Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Yuki Ichinose Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Kazuhiro Toyoda Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Yusuke Kouzai Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Yoshiteru Noutoshi Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Rhizoctonia solani is a necrotrophic plant pathogen with a wide host range. R. solani is a species complex consisting of thirteen anastomosis groups (AGs) defined by compatibility of hyphal fusion reaction and subgroups based on cultural morphology. The relationship between such classifications and host specificity remains elusive. Here, we investigated the pathogenicity of seventeen R. solani isolates (AG-1 to 7) in Japan towards Arabidopsis thaliana using leaf and soil inoculations. The tested AGs, except AG-3 and AG-6, induced symptoms in both methods with variations in pathogenicity. The virulence levels differed even within the same AG and subgroup. Some isolates showed tissue-specific infection behavior. Thus, the AGs and their subgroups are suggested to be not enough to define the virulence (host and tissue specificity) of R. solani. We also evaluated the virulence of the isolates on Arabidopsis plants pretreated with salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene. No obvious effects were detected on the symptom formation by the virulence isolates, but ethylene and salicylic acid slightly enhanced the susceptibility to the weak and nonvirulent isolates. R. solani seems to be able to overcome the induced defense by these phytohormones in the infection to Arabidopsis. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Nature Portfolio Acta Medica Okayama 2045-2322 11 1 2021 Genomic characterization between strains selected for death-feigning duration for avoiding attack of a beetle 21816 EN Keisuke Tanaka NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture Ken Sasaki Graduate School of Agriculture, Tamagawa University Kentarou Matsumura Graduate School of Agriculture, Kagawa University Shunsuke Yajima NODAI Genome Research Center, Tokyo University of Agriculture Takahisa Miyatake Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Predator avoidance is an important behavior that affects the degree of adaptation of organisms. We compared the DNA variation of one of the predator-avoidance behaviors, the recently extensively studied "death-feigning behavior", between the long strain bred for feigning death for a long time and the short strain bred for feigning death for a short time. To clarify how the difference in DNA sequences between the long and short strains corresponds to the physiological characteristics of the death-feigning duration at the transcriptome level, we performed comprehensive and comparative analyses of gene variants in Tribolium castaneum strains using DNA-resequencing. The duration of death feigning involves many gene pathways, including caffeine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, metabolism of xenobiotics by cytochrome P450, longevity regulating pathways, and circadian rhythm. Artificial selection based on the duration of death feigning results in the preservation of variants of genes in these pathways in the long strain. This study suggests that many metabolic pathways and related genes may be involved in the decision-making process of anti-predator animal behavior by forming a network in addition to the tyrosine metabolic system, including dopamine, revealed in previous studies. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 75 6 2021 Non-Invasive Prenatal Genetic Testing (NIPT) Leading to Prenatal Diagnosis of Trisomy 21 Mosaicism and 18q Deletion Syndrome: Two Cases 745 750 EN Kei Hayata Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science Sakurako Mishima Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science Akiko Ohira Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science Kazumasa Tani Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science Jota Maki Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science Eriko Eto Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science Chikako Ogawa Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science Hisashi Masuyama Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Science Case Report 10.18926/AMO/62816 NIPT is non-definitive testing to estimate the possibility that fetuses have trisomy 21, trisomy 18, or trisomy 13. However, in NIPT-positive and indeterminate cases, rare chromosomal disease may become apparent, requiring advanced genetic considerations and counseling skills. We experienced two such cases, a trisomy 21 mosaicism case triggered by NIPT-positive status and 18q deletion syndrome triggered by NIPT-indeterminate status. These cases have two clinical implications for NIPT. First, it was revealed that trisomy mosaicism might be found in NIPT-positive cases that have lower Z-Scores than those inferred from the fraction of fetal cfDNA in the case of standard trisomy. Second, it is possible that microdeletion syndrome could be the reason for an indeterminate NIPT result. Today’s genetic counseling requires more expertise in ethics and communication as well as genetic science because NIPT can lead to totally unexpected results. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier Ltd. Acta Medica Okayama 07335210 101 2021 Germplasm evaluation for crop improvement: Analysis of grain quality and cadmium accumulation in barley 103297 EN Kazuhiro Sato Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Kazuyoshi Takeda Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Jian Feng Ma Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Evaluating genetic variation in barley (Hordeum vulgare) germplasm, combined with genome-wide genotyping, is vital for identifying genes controlling important grain-quality traits. For example, in addition to traditional grain quality properties such as starch and protein contents, grain safety parameters such as heavy metal content, are important in the use of barley for human food and animal feed. A number of genes affecting grain quality have been identified by map-based cloning strategies and functionally analyzed by genetic transformation experiments. Moreover, germplasm evaluation yielded information that enabled the introgression of a key gene controlling grain cadmium accumulation into an elite barley cultivar, reducing the content of this heavy metal in grain. Genotyping of molecular markers and resequencing of germplasm accessions may provide information about how grain quality–related loci evolved and how the current allelic diversity was established. In this review, we describe germplasm resources for barley grain quality–related traits and the methods used to analyze the functions of genes controlling these traits, illustrating cadmium accumulation as an example. We also discuss future directions for the efficient identification of grain quality–related genes. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Nature Portfolio Acta Medica Okayama 2045-2322 11 1 2021 Trends in the incidence and mortality of legionellosis in Japan: a nationwide observational study, 1999-2017 7246 EN Shinnosuke Fukushima Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Hideharu Hagiya Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yuki Otsuka Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Toshihiro Koyama Department of Pharmaceutical Biomedicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Fumio Otsuka Department of General Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University This study examined temporal trend, seasonality, and geographical variations of legionellosis incidence and mortality in Japan. This nationwide observational study used the Japanese Vital Statistics and Infectious Diseases Weekly Report (1999-2017) data to calculate legionellosis crude and age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates per 100,000 population by age and sex. Incidence was compared among the 4 seasons and regional incidence among 47 prefectures. Of 13,613 (11,194 men) people with legionellosis in Japan, 725 (569 men) were fatal. Increasing incidence trend occurred from 0.0004 (1999) to 1.37 (2017) per 100,000 population. People aged >= 70 years accounted for 43.1% overall; men's age-adjusted incidence rate was consistently approximately five times higher than for women. Significantly higher incidence occurred in summer than in winter (p=0.013). Geographically, highest incidence (>= 2.0 per 100,000 population) occurred in Hokuriku District, with increasing trends in Hokkaido and middle-part of Japan. Estimated fatality rates decreased consistently at 5.9% (95% confidence interval: - 8.1, - 3.5) annually, from 1999 to 2017, with no trend change point. Increasing legionellosis incidence occurred in Japan during 1999-2017, with declining estimated fatality rates. In this aging society and warming world, disease clinical burden may further deteriorate in future due to increasing incidence trends. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Nature Acta Medica Okayama 1756-0500 14 1 2021 Genome sequence analysis of new plum pox virus isolates from Japan 266 EN Tomoaki Mori Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Chiaki Warner Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Serika Ohno Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Koichi Mori Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Takamasa Tobimatsu Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Takashi Sera Department of Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Objective To find mutations that may have recently occurred in Plum pox virus (PPV), we collected six PPV-infected plum/peach trees from the western part of Japan and one from the eastern part. After sequencing the full-length PPV genomic RNAs, we compared the amino acid sequences with representative isolates of each PPV strain. Results All new isolates were found to belong to the PPV-D strain: the six isolates collected from western Japan were identified as the West-Japan strain while the one collected from eastern Japan as the East-Japan strain. Amino acid sequence analysis of these seven isolates suggested that the 1407th and 1529th amino acid residues are characteristic of the West-Japan and the East-Japan strains, respectively. Comparing them with the corresponding amino acid residues of the 47 non-Japanese PPV-D isolates revealed that these amino acid residues are undoubtedly unique. A further examination of the relevant amino acid residues of the other 210 PPV-D isolates collected in Japan generated a new hypothesis regarding the invasion route from overseas and the subsequent diffusion route within Japan: a PPV-D strain might have invaded the western part of Japan from overseas and spread throughout Japan. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学理学部地球科学教室 Acta Medica Okayama 1340-7414 27 1 2021 気候変動に関するESD教師教育開発へ向けて：様々な時間スケールの地学現象の俯瞰 1 17 EN Yuji Kato Center for Advanced Marine Core Research, Kochi University Kuranoshin Kato Graduate School of Education, Okayama University 10.18926/ESR/61954 Since the recent climate change is an important topic in the context of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and ESD (Education for Sustainable Development), teacher training course should produce educators with sufficient geo-literacy. In order to meet this requirement, the authors have designed a study plan that facilitates students’ better understanding of current climate change issues, which will be offered in a lecture at university by two speakers who have different specialties, paleoenvironmental science and meteorology. Summary of the lecture is as follows. At first, from the branch of paleoenvironmental science, a major cooling event at the Eocene/Oligocene boundary and the glacial-interglacial cycles in the Quaternary will be explained. We will then instruct the participants to compare these climatic events with recent global warming, in order to remind them of the extraordinary higher speed of the recent climate change than climatic events in the geological past. Followed by these global topics, climatological features in East Asia including Japan (e.g. regional/seasonal difference in climate and year-to-year variations) will be demonstrated in order to relate local issues to global ones. By these efforts, the lecture aims to cultivate students’ ability to grasp geophenomena from various aspects and understand the true nature of problems, which may contribute producing educators who can execute ESD programs. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 0028-646X 231 1 2021 Divergence in red light responses associated with thermal reversion of phytochrome B between high‐ and low‐latitude species 75 84 EN Hajime Ikeda Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Tomomi Suzuki Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University Yoshito Oka Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University A. Lovisa S. Gustafsson Natural History Museum, University of Oslo Christian Brochmann Natural History Museum, University of Oslo Nobuyoshi Mochizuki Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University Akira Nagatani Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University Summary<br> ・Phytochromes play a central role in mediating adaptive responses to light and temperature throughout plant life cycles. Despite evidence for adaptive importance of natural variation in phytochromes, little information is known about molecular mechanisms that modulate physiological responses of phytochromes in nature.<br> ・We show evolutionary divergence in physiological responses relevant to thermal stability of a physiologically active form of phytochrome (Pfr) between two sister species of Brassicaceae growing at different latitudes.<br> The higher latitude species (Cardamine bellidifolia; Cb) responded more strongly to light‐limited conditions compared with its lower latitude sister (C. nipponica; Cn). Moreover, CbPHYB conferred stronger responses to both light‐limited and warm conditions in the phyB‐deficient mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana than CnPHYB: that is Pfr CbphyB was more stable in nuclei than CnphyB. <br> ・Our findings suggest that fine tuning Pfr stability is a fundamental mechanism for plants to optimise phytochrome‐related traits in their evolution and adapt to spatially varying environments, and open a new avenue to understand molecular mechanisms that fine tune phytochrome responses in nature. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 75 2 2021 Endogenous Bacterial Endophthalmitis Caused by Iliopsoas Abscess 249 253 EN Weiying Sun Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yusuke Shiode Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kazuki Tokumasu Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shuhei Kimura Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mio Hosokawa Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shinichiro Doi Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kosuke Takahashi Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ryo Matoba Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Fumio Otsuka Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuki Morizane Department of Ophthalmology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Case Report 10.18926/AMO/61909 A 79-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a 10-day history of gradually worsening binocular vision and severe backache. Further investigations revealed poor bilateral best-corrected visual acuities (BCVA), bilateral vitreous opacities, gray-white lesions scattered throughout the retina, and a left iliopsoas abscess on CT that later grew out methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. The abscess was drained and intravenous antibiotics were initiated, but the left eye additionally required intravitreal vancomycin. BCVA for both eyes normalized within 1 year. Intramuscular abscess should be considered as a possible primary lesion in cases of endogenous bacterial endophthalmitis. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 75 2 2021 Evaluation of the Imaging Process for a Novel Subtraction Method Using Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Values 139 145 EN Kentaro Hamada Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Masahiro Kuroda Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Yuuki Yoshimura Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Abdullah Khasawneh Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Hospital Majd Barham Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Hospital Nouha Tekiki Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Hospital Irfan Sugianto Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Hospital Babatunde O. Bamgbose Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Hospital Kohei Konishi Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Kohei Sugimoto Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Hinata Ishizaka Radiological Technology, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Okayama University Akira Kurozumi Central Division of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital Toshi Matsushita Central Division of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital Seiichiro Ohno Central Division of Radiology, Okayama University Hospital Susumu Kanazawa Department of Radiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Junichi Asaumi Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Okayama University Hospital Original Article 10.18926/AMO/61880 Diffusion-weighted imaging may be used to obtain the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), which aids the diagnosis of cerebral infarction and tumors. An ADC reflects elements of free diffusion. Diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) has attracted attention as a restricted diffusion imaging technique. The ADC subtraction method (ASM) was developed to visualize restricted diffusion with high resolution by using two ADC maps taken with different diffusion times. We conducted the present study to provide a bridge between the reported basic ASM research and clinical research. We developed new imaging software for clinical use and evaluated its performance herein. This software performs the imaging process automatically and continuously at the pixel level, using ImageJ software. The new software uses a macro or a plugin which is compatible with various operating systems via a Java Virtual Machine. We tested the new imaging software’s performance by using a Jurkat cell bio-phantom, and the statistical evaluation of the performance clarified that the ASM values of 99.98% of the pixels in the bio-phantom and physiological saline were calculated accurately (p<0.001). The new software may serve as a useful tool for future clinical applications and restricted diffusion imaging research. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

HINDAWI LTD Acta Medica Okayama 2090-6528 2021 2021 A Case of Myoepithelial Hamartoma: Morphological Variation Supported by OCT4 Expression 6617370 EN Takehiro Tanaka Department of Pathology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kenji Nishida Department of Pathology, Okayama University Hospital Masaya Iwamuro Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences Satoru Kikuchi Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science Tadashi Yoshino Department of Pathology, Okayama University, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Science In this report, we describe a patient with myoepithelial hamartoma, which is regarded as synonymous with adenomyosis and heterotopic pancreas. Endoscopy revealed a submucosal tumor in the antrum of the stomach. Subsequently, distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction was performed. Histological findings of adenomyomatous lesion and heterotopic pancreatic tissue were observed in this lesion. The distribution of OCT4, which is a pluripotency marker, varied in each part. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 2076-0825 10 3 2021 Core-Shell Droplet Generation Device Using a Flexural Bolt-Clamped Langevin-Type Ultrasonic Transducer 55 EN Kentaro Omori Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Nozomu Fujimoto Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takefumi Kanda Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Shuichi Wakimoto Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Norihisa Seno Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Droplets with a core-shell structure formed from two immiscible liquids are used in various industrial field owing to their useful physical and chemical characteristics. Efficient generation of uniform core-shell droplets plays an important role in terms of productivity. In this study, monodisperse core-shell droplets were efficiently generated using a flexural bolt-clamped Langevin-type transducer and two micropore plates. Water and silicone oil were used as core and shell phases, respectively, to form core-shell droplets in air. When the applied pressure of the core phase, the applied pressure of the shell phase, and the vibration velocity in the micropore were 200 kPa, 150 kPa, and 8.2 mm/s, respectively, the average diameter and coefficient of variation of the droplets were 207.7 mu m and 1.6%, respectively. A production rate of 29,000 core-shell droplets per second was achieved. This result shows that the developed device is effective for generating monodisperse core-shell droplets. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier Acta Medica Okayama 00319201 311 2021 Thermocapillary effects in two-phase medium and applications to metal-silicate separation 106640 EN Yanick Ricard Université de Lyon, ENSL, UCBL, Laboratoire LGLTPE Stéphane Labrosse Université de Lyon, ENSL, UCBL, Laboratoire LGLTPE Hidenori Terasaki Okayama University, Department of Earth Sciences David Bercovici Yale University, Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences The separation of a liquid phase from a solid but deformable matrix made of mineral grains is controlled at small scale by surface tension. The role of interfacial surface tension is twofold as it explains how a small volume of liquid phase can infiltrate the grain boundaries, be distributed and absorbed in the matrix, but after complete wetting of the grains, surface tension favors the self-separation of the liquid and solid phases. Another consequence of surface tension is the existence of Marangoni forces, which are related to the gradients of surface tension that are are usually due to temperature variations. In this paper, using a continuous multi-phase formalism we clarify the role of these different effects and quantify their importances at the scale of laboratory experiments and in planets. We show that Marangoni forces can control the liquid metal-solid silicate phase separation in laboratory experiments. The Marangoni force might help to maintain the presence of metal at the surface of asteroids and planetesimals that have undergone significant melting. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier Acta Medica Okayama 25901524 5 2021 Structural basis of enzyme activity regulation by the propeptide of l-lysine α-oxidase precursor from Trichoderma viride 100044 EN Masaki Kitagawa Department of Macromolecular Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University Nanako Ito Department of Macromolecular Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University Yuya Matsumoto Department of Biofunctional Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Masaya Saito Department of Biofunctional Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Takashi Tamura Department of Biofunctional Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Hitoshi Kusakabe Enzyme Sensor Co., Ltd. Kenji Inagaki Department of Biofunctional Chemistry, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Katsumi Imada Department of Macromolecular Science, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University Harmuful proteins are usually synthesized as inactive precursors and are activated by proteolytic processing. l-Amino acid oxidase (LAAO) is a flavoenzyme that catalyzes the oxidative deamination of l-amino acid to produce a 2-oxo acid with ammonia and highly toxic hydrogen peroxide and, therefore, is expressed as a precursor. The LAAO precursor shows significant variation in size and the cleavage pattern for activation. However, the molecular mechanism of how the propeptide suppresses the enzyme activity remains unclear except for deaminating/decarboxylating Pseudomonasl-phenylalanine oxidase (PAO), which has a short N-terminal propeptide composed of 14 residues. Here we show the inactivation mechanism of the l-lysine oxidase (LysOX) precursor (prLysOX), which has a long N-terminal propeptide composed of 77 residues, based on the crystal structure at 1.97 Å resolution. The propeptide of prLysOX indirectly changes the active site structure to inhibit the enzyme activity. prLysOX retains weak enzymatic activity with strict specificity for l-lysine and shows raised activity in acidic conditions. The structures of prLysOX crystals that soaked in a solution with various concentrations of l-lysine have revealed that prLysOX can adopt two conformations; one is the inhibitory form, and the other is very similar to mature LysOX. The propeptide region of the latter form is disordered, and l-lysine is bound to the latter form. These results indicate that prLysOX uses a different strategy from PAO to suppress the enzyme activity and suggest that prLysOX can be activated quickly in response to the environmental change without proteolytic processing. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Japan Society of Hydrology and Water Resources Acta Medica Okayama 1882-3416 14 4 2020 Estimation of long-term external nutrient loading from watersheds to Lake Biwa by a combined rainfall-runoff model and loading-discharge curve approach 143 149 EN Huu Le Tien Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Kenji Okubo Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Phuong Ho Thi School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Technologies, Vinh University Mitsuyo Saito Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University External nutrient loadings to Lake Biwa were estimated using a combined tank model and loading-discharge curve approach. The model was applied to collective drainage basins of the lake’s Imazu (northwest), Hikone (northeast), and Otsu (south) areas. The hourly model was conducted using particular discharges from Kita (Ado) river, Takatoki (Ane) river, and Yasu River to obtain loading curves for phosphate (PO4) and silica (SiO2) by assimilating measured concentrations (2002–2003). The tank model was updated by adding an evapotranspiration routine and direct paths of groundwater discharges to the lake floor. The daily model was calibrated through analysis of water budget among the basin, inflow, lake and outflow, and then validated. The model was established and combined into a loading-discharge curve to determine the long-term external nutrient loadings entering the lake (1980–2017). Seasonal variation in nutrient loadings increased during spring and summer and decreased during winter. Annual phosphate-phosphorus (PO4-P) loading ranged from 217 to 296 tons yr–1 in the North Basin and 45 to 76 tons yr–1 in the South Basin, while SiO2 loading fluctuated from 16,027 to 32,655 tons yr–1 and 2,518 to 5,490 tons yr–1 in the North and South Basins, respectively. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 75 1 2021 The Thickness of the Medial Wall of the Acetabulum Prevents Acetabular Fracture during the Insertion of a Cementless Cup in Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Biomechanical Study 71 77 EN Tomoaki Sanki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tomonori Tetsunaga Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takayuki Furumatsu Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kazuki Yamada Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshi Kawamura Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Toshifumi Ozaki Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Original Article 10.18926/AMO/61437 Intra-operative acetabular fracture is a total hip arthroplasty complication that can occur during cementless cup insertion, especially in osteoporotic patients. We conducted this biomechanical study to investigate the impact resistance of the acetabulum with simulated bones of different density by drop-weight impact testing. Low- and high-density polyurethane foam blocks were used as osteoporotic and healthy bone models, respectively. Polyurethane blocks were used as the acetabular cancellous bone. Composite sheets were used as the acetabu-lum’s medial cortex. The testing revealed that the osteoporotic bone model’s impact resistance was significantly lower than that the healthy bone model’. In the healthy bone model, even thin acetabular cancellous bone with ≥ 1 mm acetabulum medial cortex was less likely to fracture. In the osteoporotic bone model, fracture was pos-sible without ≥ 1 mm medial cortex of the acetabulum and thick acetabular cancellous bone. Although impac-tion resistance differs due to bone quality, the impaction resistance in this osteoporotic bone model was equiv-alent to that healthy bone model’s when a thick medial wall was present. To avoid intra-operative acetabulum fracture, surgeons should consider both the bone quality and the thicknesses of the medial cortex and acetabu-lar cancellous bone. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Royal Society of Chemistry Acta Medica Okayama 2046-2069 11 2 2021 Adsorption enhancement of nitrogen gas by atomically heterogeneous nanospace of boron nitride 838 846 EN Jun Kimura Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takahiro Ohkubo Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yuta Nishina Research Core for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Okayama University Koki Urita Graduate School of Engineering, Nagasaki University Yasushige Kuroda Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University In this study, porous boron nitride (p-BN) with hexagonal phase boron nitride (h-BN) pore walls was synthesized using high-temperature calcination. Negligible variation in pore-wall structure can be observed in powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) profiles and infrared (IR) spectra. However, a highly stable p-BN with a stable pore structure even at 973 K under the oxidative conditions is obtained when synthesized at higher than 1573 K under nitrogen gas flow. For p-BN, this stability is obtained by generating h-BN microcrystals. Nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms at 77 K provide type-IV features and typical adsorption–desorption hysteresis, which suggests micropore and mesopore formation. Moreover, adsorption–desorption isotherms of Ar at 87 K are measured and compared with those of nitrogen. The relative adsorbed amount of nitrogen (i.e., the amount of nitrogen normalized by that of Ar at each relative pressure or adsorption potential value) on p-BN is considerably larger than that on microporous carbon at low-pressure regions, which suggests the existence of strong adsorption sites on the p-BN surface. In fact, the relative number of adsorbed nitrogen molecules to that of Ar on p-BN is, at most, 150%–200% larger than that on microporous carbon for the same adsorption potential state. Furthermore, additional adsorption enhancement to nitrogen between P/P0 = 10−5 and 10−3 can be observed for p-BN treated at 1673 K, which suggests the uniformly adsorbed layer formation of nitrogen molecules in the vicinity of a basal planar surface. Thus, unlike typical nanoporous sp2 carbons, p-BN materials have the potential to enhance adsorption for certain gas species because of their unique surface state. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 1747-079X 15 1 2020 Outcomes of Patients with Pulmonary Atresia with Intact Ventricular Septum Reaching Adulthood 1 11 EN Norihisa Toh Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yasuhiro Kotani Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Teiji Akagi Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yosuke Kuroko Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kenji Baba Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shin-ichi Otsuki Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Shingo Kasahara Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hiroshi Ito Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Background: There is limited information on outcomes of adult patients with pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA-IVS) due to the low incidence of disease and the large variation of surgical histories. Methods: Among 58 patients with repaired PA-IVS, a total of 32 patients aged ≥16 years and who were followed at our institution between January 2003 and December 2018 were reviewed. Surgical history, clinical outcomes, and laboratory, echocardiographic and electrocardiographic data were obtained by chart review. Results: Follow-up was from the age of 16 years and the median age at the latest follow-up was 23.7 years. Twenty-four patients had undergone biventricular repair (BVR), 3 had undergone one-and-a half ventricular repair (1.5VR), and 5 had undergone univentricular repair. Over a median follow-up period of 7.7 years (interquartile range: 4.1–11.0 years), 1 BVR patient died suddenly and 7 patients had heart failure. Arrhythmias were present in 5 patients. Ten patients underwent surgical re-interventions, including 4 BVR take-downs with conversion to 1.5VR and 3 Fontan conversions. Overall survival, heart failure-free, arrhythmia-free, and surgical re-intervention-free rates at 5 years and 10 years from the age of 16 years were 96.2% (95% confidence interval [CI], 77.2–99.4) and 96.2% (95% CI, 77.2– 99.4), 81.4% (95% CI, 62.1–92.1) and 74.6% (95%CI, 52.3–88.7), 88.7% (95% CI, 70.1–96.3) and 75.9% (95% CI, 51.7–90.2), and 80.7% (95% CI, 60.8–91.8) and 70.8% (95% CI, 49.7–85.7), respectively. Conclusion: Adults with PA-IVS have preserved long-term survival regardless of the early operative strategy, while they are at risk for heart failure, arrhythmia, and surgical re-intervention. Thus, detailed and continued follow-up is mandatory for all PA-IVS patients from childhood to adulthood. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 2076-3417 11 1 2021 Multi-Period Maximal Covering Location Problem with Capacitated Facilities and Modules for Natural Disaster Relief Services 397 EN Roghayyeh Alizadeh Division of Mathematical Science for Social Systems, Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University Tatsushi Nishi Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Department of Industrial Innovation Engineering, Okayama University Jafar Bagherinejad Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Alzahra University Mahdi Bashiri School of Strategy and Leadership, Faculty of Business and Law, Coventry University The paper aims to study a multi-period maximal covering location problem with the configuration of different types of facilities, as an extension of the classical maximal covering location problem (MCLP). The proposed model can have applications such as locating disaster relief facilities, hospitals, and chain supermarkets. The facilities are supposed to be comprised of various units, called the modules. The modules have different sizes and can transfer between facilities during the planning horizon according to demand variation. Both the facilities and modules are capacitated as a real-life fact. To solve the problem, two upper bounds-(LR1) and (LR2)-and Lagrangian decomposition (LD) are developed. Two lower bounds are computed from feasible solutions obtained from (LR1), (LR2), and (LD) and a novel heuristic algorithm. The results demonstrate that the LD method combined with the lower bound obtained from the developed heuristic method (LD-HLB) shows better performance and is preferred to solve both small- and large-scale problems in terms of bound tightness and efficiency especially for solving large-scale problems. The upper bounds and lower bounds generated by the solution procedures can be used as the profit approximation by the managerial executives in their decision-making process. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences Acta Medica Okayama 1011-2367 33 11 2019 An investigation of seasonal variations in the microbiota of milk, feces, bedding, and airborne dust 1858 1865 EN Thuong Thi Nguyen Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Haoming Wu Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Naoki Nishino Department of Animal Science, Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Objective</br> The microbiota of dairy cow milk varies with the season, and this accounts in part for the seasonal variation in mastitis-causing bacteria and milk spoilage. The microbiota of the cowshed may be the most important factor because the teats of a dairy cow contact bedding material when the cow is resting. The objectives of the present study were to determine whether the microbiota of the milk and the cowshed vary between seasons, and to elucidate the relationship between the microbiota.</br> Methods</br> We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to investigate the microbiota of milk, feces, bedding, and airborne dust collected at a dairy farm during summer and winter.</br> Results</br> The seasonal differences in the milk yield and milk composition were marginal. The fecal microbiota was stable across the two seasons. Many bacterial taxa of the bedding and airborne dust microbiota exhibited distinctive seasonal variation. In the milk microbiota, the abundances of Staphylococcaceae, Bacillaceae, Streptococcaceae, Microbacteriaceae, and Micrococcaceae were affected by the seasons; however, only Micrococcaceae had the same seasonal variation pattern as the bedding and airborne dust microbiota. Nevertheless, canonical analysis of principle coordinates revealed a distinctive group comprising the milk, bedding, and airborne dust microbiota.</br> Conclusion</br> Although the milk microbiota is related to the bedding and airborne dust microbiota, the relationship may not account for the seasonal variation in the milk microbiota. Some major bacterial families stably found in the bedding and airborne dust microbiota, e.g., Staphylococcaceae, Moraxellaceae, Ruminococcaceae, and Bacteroidaceae, may have greater influences than those that varied between seasons. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 74 6 2020 Delayed Methotrexate Elimination after Administration of a Medium Dose of Methotrexate in a Patient with Genetic Variants Associated with Methotrexate Clearance 545 550 EN Yasuhisa Tatebe Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Kiichiro Kanamitsu Department of pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital Hirotaka Kanzaki Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Hisashi Ishida Department of pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital Kaori Fujiwara Department of pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital Kana Washio Department of pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital Yoshihisa Kitamura Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Toshiaki Sendo Department of Pharmacy, Okayama University Hospital Akira Shimada Department of pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital Hirokazu Tsukahara Department of pediatrics, Okayama University Hospital Case Report 10.18926/AMO/61215 Polymorphisms in methotrexate transporter pathways have been associated with methotrexate toxicities and clearance. Recent genome-wide association studies have revealed that the SLCO1B1 T521C variant is associated with methotrexate elimination. We present a case of a pediatric patient with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who suffered from persistently high plasma methotrexate concentrations and acute kidney injuries after the admin-istration of a medium dose of methotrexate. Subsequent genetic analysis showed that he was a carrier of dys-functional genetic variants associated with methotrexate clearance. This case highlights that polymorphisms of methotrexate transporter pathways can adversely affect methotrexate elimination in a clinically significant manner. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 74 6 2020 Four Cases with Rare Complications of Intramedullary Screw Fixation for Jones Fracture 537 544 EN Yusuke Morimoto Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine Taichi Komatsu Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine Yasuaki Tokuhashi Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nihon University School of Medicine Case Report 10.18926/AMO/61214 Active treatment with intramedullary screw fixation is now common for athletes with Jones fracture. Outcomes are generally good, but complications can occur. We report 4 rare complications of intramedullary screw fixa-tion. Two cases developed osteomyelitis and pseudarthrosis caused by thermal necrosis. In the other two cases, screw-related complications occurred during the insertion of the tapered headless screw. Although thermal necrosis and screw insertion failures are considered rare complications and not widely reported in the litera-ture, they do occur occasionally. Knowing the mechanisms underlying these complications could help prevent them, and knowing their course could lead caregivers to appropriate interventions when they do occur. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier Acta Medica Okayama 2405-6502 21 2020 A case of type 1 facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) with restrictive ventilatory defect and congestive heart failure 100284 EN Nobutoshi Morimoto Department of Neurology, Kagawa Central Prefectural Hospital Mizuki Morimoto Department of Neurology, Kagawa Central Prefectural Hospital Yoshiaki Takahashi Department of Neurology, Kagawa Central Prefectural Hospital Motonori Takamiya Department of Neurology, Kagawa Central Prefectural Hospital Ichizo Nishino Department of Neuromuscular Research, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP) Koji Abe Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University [Background] Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant muscle disease characterized by asymmetric involvement of muscles in the face, upper extremity, trunk, and lower extremity regions, with variable severity. It was recently reported that restrictive respiratory involvement is more frequent and severe than previously recognized, while cardiac dysfunction other than arrhythmia is still considered extremely rare in FSHD. [Case report] A 59-year-old man presenting with marked muscle atrophy in the trunk and asymmetrical muscle atrophy in the legs was hospitalized because of dyspnea and edema in the face and limbs. Shortness of breath with body movement started from approximately 40 years of age. Muscle biopsy revealed myopathic change with mild to moderate variation in fiber size. The diagnosis of FSHD was made by D4Z4 contraction to three repeats on genetic testing. A pulmonary function test revealed a decline of forced vital capacity (FVC) and a preserved FEV1/FVC indicating restrictive ventilatory defect (RVD). Ultrasonic echocardiogram (UCG) showed diffuse left ventricular hypokinesis, ventricular septum thickening, pericardial effusion, and decreased ejection fraction (LVEF 30%). [Conclusion] Although restrictive ventilatory defect and congestive heart failure are uncommon in FSHD, respiratory and cardiac evaluation may be necessary in patients with FSHD. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山医学会 Acta Medica Okayama 0030-1558 132 2 2020 C型肝炎ウイルス（HCV）：RNAゲノムの多様性と変異性 60 67 EN Nobuyuki Kato Department of Tumor Virology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 74 5 2020 Oblique Surface Dose Calculation in High-Energy X-ray Therapy 415 422 EN Naomasa Narihiro Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Masataka Oita Department of Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University Yoshihiro Takeda Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Radiological Technology, Okayama University Original Article 10.18926/AMO/60801 During radiation therapy, incident radiation oblique to the skin surface is high and may cause severe skin damage. Understanding the dose of radiation absorbed by the skin is important for predicting skin damage due to radiation. In this study, we used a high-energy (4 MV) X-ray system and an optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter (OSLD) that was developed for personal exposure dosimetry. We determined the dose variation and angular dependence, which are the characteristics of a small OSLD required to derive the calculation formula for the oblique surface dose. The dose variation was determined using the coefficient of variation. The maximum coefficient of variation for 66 small-field OSLDs was 1.71%. The angular dependence, obtained from the dose ratio of the dosimeter in the vertical direction, had a maximum value of 1.37. We derived a new equation in which the oblique surface dose can be calculated within the error range of −7.7-5.1%. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 0021-9967 529 7 2020 Variation of pro‐vasopressin processing in parvocellular and magnocellular neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus: Evidence from the vasopressin‐related glycopeptide copeptin 1372 1390 EN Natsuko Kawakami Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Akito Otubo Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Sho Maejima Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Ashraf H. Talukder Laboratory of Information Biology, Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University Keita Satoh Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takumi Oti Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Keiko Takanami Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yasumasa Ueda Department of Physiology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine Keiichi Itoi Laboratory of Information Biology, Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University John F. Morris Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford Tatsuya Sakamoto Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Hirotaka Sakamoto Ushimado Marine Institute (UMI), Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is synthesized in parvocellular‐ and magnocellular neuroendocrine neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. Whereas magnocellular AVP neurons project primarily to the posterior pituitary, parvocellular AVP neurons project to the median eminence (ME) and to extrahypothalamic areas. The AVP gene encodes pre‐pro‐AVP that comprises the signal peptide, AVP, neurophysin (NPII), and a copeptin glycopeptide. In the present study, we used an N‐terminal copeptin antiserum to examine copeptin expression in magnocellular and parvocellular neurons in the hypothalamus in the mouse, rat, and macaque monkey. Although magnocellular NPII‐expressing neurons exhibited strong N‐terminal copeptin immunoreactivity in all three species, a great majority (~90%) of parvocellular neurons that expressed NPII was devoid of copeptin immunoreactivity in the mouse, and in approximately half (~53%) of them in the rat, whereas in monkey hypothalamus, virtually all NPII‐immunoreactive parvocellular neurons contained strong copeptin immunoreactivity. Immunoelectron microscopy in the mouse clearly showed copeptin‐immunoreactivity co‐localized with NPII‐immunoreactivity in neurosecretory vesicles in the internal layer of the ME and posterior pituitary, but not in the external layer of the ME. Intracerebroventricular administration of a prohormone convertase inhibitor, hexa‐d‐arginine amide resulted in a marked reduction of copeptin‐immunoreactivity in the NPII‐immunoreactive magnocellular PVN neurons in the mouse, suggesting that low protease activity and incomplete processing of pro‐AVP could explain the disproportionally low levels of N‐terminal copeptin expression in rodent AVP (NPII)‐expressing parvocellular neurons. Physiologic and phylogenetic aspects of copeptin expression among neuroendocrine neurons require further exploration. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 0022-1147 85 9 2020 A comparative study of the antioxidant profiles of olive fruit and leaf extracts against five reactive oxygen species as measured with a multiple free‐radical scavenging method 2737 2744 EN Yoshimi Sueishi Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University Risako Nii Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Okayama University Olive fruits and leaves are recognized to have great potential as natural sources of antioxidants. The major phenolic antioxidant component in these plant tissues is oleuropein. The antioxidant activity of olive fruits and leaves was evaluated in this study using multiple free‐radical scavenging (MULTIS) methods, wherein we determined the scavenging abilities of different extracts against five reactive oxygen species (ROS; HO·, O2−·, RO·, t‐BuOO·, and 1O2). Raw olive fruits taste bitter and are inedible without undergoing a debittering treatment. Following the NaOH‐debittering process, the radical scavenging activity of olives decreased by 90%. The MULTIS measurements indicated that oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol are responsible for the radical scavenging activity of olive fruits. Furthermore, we evaluated the radical scavenging profiles of olive leaf extracts against five ROS and found significant seasonal variations in their antioxidant activities. Leaves picked in August possessed greater radical scavenging abilities (180% to 410% for different ROS) than those picked in the cold season (December and February). In roasted olive leaves, we found marked increases (230% to 300% and 180% to 220%) in the antioxidant activities of Maillard reaction products against RO· and t‐BuOO·, respectively. This study presented a useful comparative analysis of the antioxidant capacities of food against various types of ROS. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier Acta Medica Okayama 2666-478X 1 2020 Dicer monitoring in a model filamentous fungus host, Cryphonectria parasitica 100001 EN Annisa Aulia Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Midori Tabara Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Department of Applied Biological Sciences Paul Telengech Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Toshiyuki Fukuhara Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Department of Applied Biological Sciences Nobuhiro Suzuki Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University The ascomycete Cryphonectria parasitica has served as a model filamentous fungus for studying virus host interactions because of its susceptibility to diverse viruses, its genetic manipulability and the availability of many biological and molecular tools. Cryphonectria prasitica is known to activate antiviral RNA silencing upon infection by some viruses via transcriptional up-regulation of key RNA silencing genes. Here, utilizing a newly developed GFP-based reporter system to monitor dicer-like 2 (dcl2) transcript levels, we show different levels of antiviral RNA silencing activation by different viruses. Some viruses such as mycoreovirus 1, a suppressor-lacking mutant of Cryphonectria hypovirus 1 (CHV1-Δp69) and Rosellinia necatrix partitivirus 11 (RnPV11) highly induced RNA silencing, while others such as CHV3, Rosellinia necatrix victorivirus 1 and RnPV19 did not. There was considerable variation in dcl2 induction by different members within the family Hypoviridae with positive-sense single-stranded RNA genomes or Partitiviridae with double-stranded RNA genomes. Northern blotting and an in vitro Dicer assay developed recently by us using mycelial homogenates validated the reporter assay results for several representative virus strains. Taken together, this study represents a development in the monitoring of Dicer activity in virus-infected C. parasitica. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 74 4 2020 Recurrence of Solitary Fibrous Tumor/Hemangiopericytoma Could Be Predicted by Ki-67 Regardless of Its Origin 335 343 EN Yumiko Yamamoto Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kochi University Yoshihiro Hayashi Department of Equipment of Support Planning Office, Kochi University Ichiro Murakami Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kochi University Original Article 10.18926/AMO/60372 Since the discovery of the NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion in 2013, solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) and hemangiopericytoma (HPC) have been considered the same disease. STAT6 nuclear stain is approved as a highly sensitive and specific marker to diagnose SFT/HPC from other tumors with similar histology. As the next step, detection of fusion variants that may predict clinical malignancy of SFT/HPC has been attempted. However, no fusion variants with a clear relation to malignancy have been identified. In this study, the clinical and histological backgrounds of 23 Japanese patients diagnosed with SFT/HPC from 2000 to 2019 at Kochi University Hospital were examined to identify factors potentially related to recurrence. A significant relationship to recurrence was detected for mitosis ≥ 1/10 HPF (400×), necrosis, and Ki-67>5%. These findings indicate that a deliberate investigation of histological features such as mitosis and necrosis is crucial for the clinical observation of SFT/ HPC patients. In addition, Ki-67 was revealed to be a useful parameter to predict recurrence in SFT/HPC patients. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Nature Acta Medica Okayama 2045-2322 10 1 2020 Patient-derived ovarian cancer organoids capture the genomic profiles of primary tumours applicable for drug sensitivity and resistance testing 12581 EN Yoshiko Nanki Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine Tatsuyuki Chiyoda Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine Akira Hirasawa Department of Clinical Genomic Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Aki Ookubo JSR‑Keio University Medical and Chemical Innovation Center (JKiC), JSR Corp. Manabu Itoh JSR‑Keio University Medical and Chemical Innovation Center (JKiC), JSR Corp. Masaru Ueno JSR‑Keio University Medical and Chemical Innovation Center (JKiC), JSR Corp. Tomoko Akahane JSR‑Keio University Medical and Chemical Innovation Center (JKiC), Keio University School of Medicine Kaori Kameyama Department of Pathology, Keio University School of Medicine Wataru Yamagami Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine Fumio Kataoka Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine Daisuke Aoki Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keio University School of Medicine The use of primary patient-derived organoids for drug sensitivity and resistance testing could play an important role in precision cancer medicine. We developed expandable ovarian cancer organoids in<3 weeks; these organoids captured the characteristics of histological cancer subtypes and replicated the mutational landscape of the primary tumours. Seven pairs of organoids (3 high-grade serous, 1 clear cell, 3 endometrioid) and original tumours shared 59.5% (36.1-73.1%) of the variants identified. Copy number variations were also similar among organoids and primary tumours. The organoid that harboured the BRCA1 pathogenic variant (p.L63*) showed a higher sensitivity to PARP inhibitor, olaparib, as well as to platinum drugs compared to the other organoids, whereas an organoid derived from clear cell ovarian cancer was resistant to conventional drugs for ovarian cancer, namely platinum drugs, paclitaxel, and olaparib. The overall success rate of primary organoid culture, including those of various histological subtypes, was 80% (28/35). Our data show that patient-derived organoids are suitable physiological ex vivo cancer models that can be used to screen effective personalised ovarian cancer drugs. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 2045-7758 2020 Ambiguous species boundaries: Hybridization and morphological variation in two closely relatedRubusspecies along altitudinal gradients EN Makiko Mimura Department of Biology, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Mihoko Suga Graduate School of Agriculture, Tamagawa University Although hybridization frequently occurs among plant species, hybrid zones of divergent lineages formed at species boundaries are less common and may not be apparent in later generations of hybrids with more parental-like phenotypes, as a consequence of backcrossing. To determine the effects of dispersal and selection on species boundaries, we compared clines in leaf traits and molecular hybrid index along two hybrid zones on Yakushima Island, Japan, in which a temperate (Rubus palmatus) and subtropical (Rubus grayanus) species of wild raspberry are found. Leaf sinus depth in the two hybrid zones had narrower clines at 600 m a.s.l. than the molecular hybrid index and common garden tests confirmed that some leaf traits, including leaf sinus depth that is a major trait used in species identification, are genetically divergent between these closely related species. The sharp transition in leaf phenotypic traits compared to molecular markers indicated divergent selection pressure on the hybrid zone structure. We suggest that species boundaries based on neutral molecular data may differ from those based on observed morphological traits. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press Acta Medica Okayama 0024-4066 130 1 2020 Genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity in circadian rhythms in an armed beetle, Gnatocerus cornutus (Tenebrionidae) 34 40 EN Kentarou Matsumura Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Masato S Abe Center for Advanced Intelligence Project, RIKEN Manmohan D Sharma Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter David J Hosken Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter Taishi Yoshii Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takahisa Miyatake Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Circadian rhythms, their free-running periods and the power of the rhythms are often used as indicators of biological clocks, and there is evidence that the free-running periods of circadian rhythms are not affected by environmental factors, such as temperature. However, there are few studies of environmental effects on the power of the rhythms, and it is not clear whether temperature compensation is universal. Additionally, genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity in biological clocks are important for understanding the evolution of biological rhythms, but genetic and plastic effects are rarely investigated. Here, we used 18 isofemale lines (genotypes) of Gnatocerus cornutus to assess rhythms of locomotor activity, while also testing for temperature effects. We found that total activity and the power of the circadian rhythm were affected by interactions between sex and genotype or between sex, genotype and temperature. The males tended to be more active and showed greater increases in activity, but this effect varied across both genotypes and temperatures. The period of activity varied only by genotype and was thus independent of temperature. The complicated genotype–sex–environment interactions we recorded stress the importance of investigating circadian activity in more integrated ways. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier Acta Medica Okayama 0012821X 530 2019 Grain boundary diffusion of W in lower mantle phase with implications for isotopic heterogeneity in oceanic island basalts by core-mantle interactions 115887 EN Takashi Yoshino Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Yoshiki Makino Geochemical Research Center, The University of Tokyo Toshihiro Suzuki Geochemical Research Center, The University of Tokyo Takafumi Hirata Geochemical Research Center, The University of Tokyo Tungsten isotopes provide important constraints on the ocean-island basalt (OIB) source regions. Recent analyses of μ182W in modern basalts with high 3He/4He originating from the core-mantle boundary region reveal two distinct features: positive μ182W in Phanerozoic flood basalts indicating the presence of primordial reservoir, and negative μ182W in modern OIBs. One possibility to produce large variations in μ182W is interaction between the mantle and outer core. Here, we report grain boundary diffusion of W in lower mantle phases. High pressure experimental results show that grain boundary diffusion of W is fast and strongly temperature dependent. Over Earth's history, diffusive transport of W from the core to the lowermost mantle may have led to significant modification of the W isotopic composition of the lower mantle at length scales exceeding one kilometer. Such grain boundary diffusion can lead to large variations in μ182W in modern basalts as a function of the distance of their source regions from the core mantle boundary. Modern oceanic island basalts from Hawaii, Samoa and Iceland exhibit negative μ182W and likely originated from the modified isotope region just above the core-mantle boundary, whereas those with positive μ182W could be derived from the thick Large Low Shear Velocity Provinces (LLSVPs) far from the core-mantle boundary (CMB). When highly-oxidized slabs accumulate at the CMB oxidizing the outer core at the interface, a large W flux with negative μ182W can be added to the silicate mantle. As a result, the source region of the OIB would be effectively modified to a negative μ182W. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier Acta Medica Okayama 00411345 52 2 2020 Pediatric Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Congenital Absence of the Portal Vein With Pulmonary Hypertension: A Case Report 630 633 EN Naohisa Matsumoto Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University Hospital Takashi Matsusaki Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University Hospital Kazumasa Hiroi Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University Hospital Ryuji Kaku Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University Hospital Ryuichi Yoshida Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yuzo Umeda Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takahito Yagi Hiroshi Morimatsu Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitology, Okayama University Hospital Few reports of liver transplantation exist in patients with congenital absence of the portal vein and pulmonary hypertension. Living donor liver transplantation is usually performed before exacerbation of pulmonary hypertension. A 7-year-old girl (height: 131.5 cm; weight: 27.4 kg) with congenital absence of the portal vein was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure 35 mm Hg), and liver transplantation was planned before exacerbation of pulmonary hypertension. We successfully managed her hemodynamic parameters using low-dose dopamine and noradrenaline under monitoring of arterial blood pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac output, and stroke volume variation. Anesthesia was maintained using air-oxygen-sevoflurane and remifentanil 0.1 to 0.6 μg∙kg-1∙min-1. It is necessary to understand the potential perioperative complications in such cases and to adopt a multidisciplinary team approach in terms of the timing of transplantation and readiness to deal with exacerbation of pulmonary hypertension. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press Acta Medica Okayama 0956540X 220 1 2019 Deformation of rhyolite lava crust associated with intermittent inner flow of lava: palaeomagnetic evidence 190 200 EN Koji Uno Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Kuniyuki Furukawa Faculty of Business Administration, Aichi University Kotaro Nakai Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Takuma Kamio Department of Earth Sciences, Okayama University Tatsuo Kanamaru Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Nihon University A palaeomagnetic study has been conducted to examine the deformation of thick crusts of rhyolite lava while its inner portions continue to flow. The Sanukayama rhyolite lava, which erupted in the Pleistocene in Kozushima Island, Japan, was chosen as the investigation site because of its well-exposed vertical lithofacies variations classified into three distinct zones (pumiceous, obsidian and crystalline). The targets of this study are the pumiceous and obsidian zones, which constitute the crust of the lava. Thermal demagnetization reveals three remanent magnetization components from the pumiceous and obsidian samples but only a single magnetization component from the inner crystalline rhyolite samples. Alternating field demagnetization is ineffective in isolating the magnetization components in the pumiceous and obsidian samples. The multiple components of remanent magnetization of the crust are interpreted to have been acquired during cooling as thermoremanent magnetizations. We suspect intermittent lava transport of the inner portions, the primary mode of rhyolite lava advancement, to be responsible for the presence of multiple components in pumice and obsidian of the lava crust. When the inner portions of the lava retain mobility to flow out of the crust, the solidified crust of the lava surface below the magnetite Curie temperature remains susceptible to deformation. Analysis of palaeomagnetic directions from the crust allows the deformation of the crust to be described in terms of rotation. Although the mode of rhyolite lava advancement is not well understood, because of its infrequent occurrence, our observations offer an important insight on how the mobile part of the lava is associated with the deformation of the crust during continued lava advance. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学理学部地球科学教室 Acta Medica Okayama 1340-7414 26 1 2019 ドイツ・北欧と日本の「夏」の気候や季節感の違いに注目して音楽と連携した大学での学際的ESD授業開発 25 36 EN Kuranoshin KATO Graduate School of Education, Okayama University Haruko KATO Faculty of Education, Gufu Shotoku Gakuen University Kazuo OTANI TV Setouchi Broadcasting Co., LTD. Kengo MATSUMOTO Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University 10.18926/ESR/58576 Climatological features and seasonal feeling in the season called by the same word such as “summer”would be rather different from region to region. Comparison of these features among the different regions, including the regions which are not so familiar to the students, would help to promote their fundamental ESD literacy, especially relating to the “Understanding of heterogeneous others”. Based on that concept, this paper will report an interdisciplinary lesson study for the university students on a theme how different the summertime climate and seasonal feeling among Germany, northern Europe and Japan are. In this study, the lesson practice was made in 2015 and 2018. In both classes, after the lecture on the summertime climate and seasonal feeling in these regions, the students created substitute songs with use of the melody of “Alles neu macht der Mai” (“The May makes all things new”, the same melody as a Japanese school song “Butterfly”) for the comparison between Germany and Japan. As for that between northern Europe, the melody of a Japanese school song “Furu-Sato” (“My country home”) was used for the creation of the substitute songs. It is noted that, not only the seasonal mean temperature or solar radiation condition, but also the features in association with the large day-to-day temperature variation was strongly reflected in the students’ works. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 1661-7827 16 24 2019 Geographical Differences and the National Meeting Effect in Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrests: A JCS-ReSS Study Report 5130 EN Tetsuya Yumoto Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hiromichi Naitou Department of Emergency, Critical Care, and Disaster Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takashi Yorifuji Department of Epidemiology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshio Tahara Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Naohiro Yonemoto National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry Hiroshi Nonogi Intensive Care Center, Shizuoka General Hospital Ken Nagao Cardiovascular Center, Nihon University Hospital Takanori Ikeda Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Toho University Faculty of Medicine Naoki Sato Cardiovascular Medicine, Kawaguchi Cardiovascular and Respiratory Hospital Hiroyuki Tsutsui Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyushu University Faculty of Medical Sciences The "national meeting effect" refers to worse patient outcomes when medical professionals attend academic meetings and hospitals have reduced staffing. The aim of this study was to examine differences in outcomes of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) admitted during, before, and after meeting days according to meeting location and considering regional variation of outcomes, which has not been investigated in previous studies. Using data from a nationwide, prospective, population-based, observational study in Japan, we analyzed adult OHCA patients who underwent resuscitation attempts between 2011 and 2015. Favorable one-month neurological outcomes were compared among patients admitted during the relevant annual meeting dates of three national scientific societies, those admitted on identical days the week before, and those one week after the meeting dates. We developed a multivariate logistic regression model after adjusting for confounding factors, including meeting location and regional variation (better vs. worse outcome areas), using the "during meeting days" group as the reference. A total of 40,849 patients were included in the study, with 14,490, 13,518, and 12,841 patients hospitalized during, before, and after meeting days, respectively. The rates of favorable neurological outcomes during, before, and after meeting days was 1.7, 1.6, and 1.8%, respectively. After adjusting for covariates, favorable neurological outcomes did not differ among the three groups (adjusted OR (95% CI) of the before and after meeting dates groups was 1.03 (0.83-1.28) and 1.01 (0.81-1.26), respectively. The "national meeting effect" did not exist in OHCA patients in Japan, even after comparing data during, before, and after meeting dates and considering meeting location and regional variation. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 2075-4701 9 7 2019 Effect of Lubrication and Forging Load on Surface Roughness, Residual Stress, and Deformation of Cold Forging Tools 783 EN Nuwan Karunathilaka Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Naoya Tada Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takeshi Uemori Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Ryota Hanamitsu Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Masahiro Fujii Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Yuya Omiya Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Masahiro Kawano Zeno Tech Co., Ltd Cold forging is a metal forming that which uses localized compressive force at room temperature. During the cold forging process, the tool is subjected to extremely high loads and abrasive wear. Lubrication plays an important role in cold forging to improve product quality and tool life by preventing direct metallic contact. Surface roughness and residual stress also greatly affects the service life of a tool. In this study, variations in surface roughness, residual stress, and specimen deformation with the number of cold forging cycles were investigated under different forging conditions. Specimens that were made of heat-treated SKH51 (59-61 HRC), a high-speed tool steel with a polished working surface, were used. The specimens were subjected to an upsetting process. Compressive residual stress, surface roughness, and specimen deformation showed a positive relationship with the number of forging cycles up to a certain limit and became almost constant in most of the forging conditions. A larger change in residual stress and surface roughness was observed at the center of the specimens in all the forging conditions. The effect of the magnitude of the forging load on the above discussed parameters is large when compared to the effect of the lubrication conditions. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 74 1 2020 Metabolic Profiling of the Cerebrospinal Fluid in Pediatric Epilepsy 65 72 EN Tomoyuki Akiyama Department of Child Neurology, Okayama University Hospital Daisuke Saigusa Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University Yuki Hyodo Department of Child Neurology, Okayama University Hospital Keiko Umeda Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University Reina Saijo Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University Seizo Koshiba Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Tohoku University Katsuhiro Kobayashi Department of Child Neurology, Okayama University Hospital Original Article 10.18926/AMO/57955 To characterize metabolic profiles within the central nervous system in epilepsy, we performed gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS)-based metabolome analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in pediatric patients with and without epilepsy. The CSF samples obtained from 64 patients were analyzed by GC-MS/MS. Multivariate analyses were performed for two age groups, 0-5 years of age and 6-17 years of age, to elucidate the effects of epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs on the metabolites. In patients aged 0-5 years (22 patients with epilepsy, 13 without epilepsy), epilepsy patients had reduced 2-ketoglutaric acid and elevated pyridoxamine and tyrosine. In patients aged 6-17 years (12 with epilepsy, 17 without epilepsy), epilepsy patients had reduced 1,5-anhydroglucitol. Valproic acid was associated with elevated 2-aminobutyric acid, 2-ketoisocaproic acid, 4-hydroxyproline, acetylglycine, methionine, N-acetylserine, and serine. Reduced energy metabolism and alteration of vitamin B6 metabolism may play a role in epilepsy in young children. The roles of 1,5-anhydroglucitol in epilepsy in older children and in levetiracetam and zonisamide treatment remain to be explained. Valproic acid influenced the levels of amino acids and related metabolites involved in the metabolism of serine, methionine, and leucine. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press Acta Medica Okayama 0022-3530 60 8 2019 Transition from Plume-driven to Plate-driven Magmatism in the Evolution of the Main Ethiopian Rift 1681 1715 EN Dejene Hailemariam Feyissa The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Hiroshi Kitagawa The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Tesfaye Demissie Bizuneh The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Ryoji Tanaka The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Kurkura Kabeto The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Eizo Nakamura The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University New K-Ar ages, major and trace element concentrations, and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope data are presented for Oligocene to recent mafic volcanic rocks from the Ethiopian Plateau, the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER), and the Afar depression. Chronological and geochemical data from this study are combined with previously published datasets to reveal secular variations in magmatism throughout the entire Ethiopian volcanic region. The mafic lavas in these regions show variability in terms of silica-saturation (i.e. alkaline and sub-alkaline series) and extent of differentiation (mafic through intermediate to felsic). The P-T conditions of melting, estimated using the least differentiated basalts, reveal a secular decrease in the mantle potential temperature, from when the flood basalt magmas erupted (up to 1600 degrees C) to the time of the rift-related magmatism (<1500 degrees C). Variations in the Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions of the mafic lavas can account for the involvement of multiple end-member components. The relative contributions of these end-member components vary in space and time owing to changes in the thermal condition of the asthenosphere and the thickness of the lithosphere. The evolution of the Ethiopian rift is caused by a transition from plume-driven to plate-driven mantle upwelling, although the present-day mantle beneath the MER and the Afar depression is still warmer than normal asthenosphere. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Herpetological Society of Japan Acta Medica Okayama 1345-5834 38 1 2019 Individual and Sexual Differences in Time to Habituate to Food-stimuli Presentation of Potential Prey in Hyla japonica 14 22 EN Shintaro Tanabe Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Eiiti Kasuya Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Kyushu University Takahisa Miyatake Graduate School of Environmental and life Science, Okayama University The traits of many animal species exhibit individual and sexual differences. Individuals repeatedly receiving a stimulus without harm become habituated to it. However, few studies have been conducted on individual and sexual differences in the process of habituation to unfamiliar food stimuli. Therefore, we hypothesized that individual differences or sexual differences would be observed in reaction to an in-lab food-stimuli presentation of potential prey items (after that "food stimuli"). We tested the hypothesis using the Japanese tree frog Hyla japonica, and conducted statistical analyses of these results. A generalized linear model (GLM) showed individual and sexual differences in time to get used to the food stimuli. Females habituated more rapidly to food stimuli than males. The difference between sexes is discussed in view of two ultimate and one proximate reasons. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学農学部 Acta Medica Okayama 2186-7755 109 2020 ゲノム進化が紐解く植物の性決定 37 40 EN Takashi Akagi Sexual polymorphism, a main strategy to maintain genetic diversity within a species, has long been a major focus in biology. Notwithstanding, in plants, evolution of sexual systems and mechanisms underlying these transitions have been little unveiled. We have elucidated the molecular mechanism of sex determination in persimmons (Diospyros spp.), where the Y-encoded smRNA gene OGI can repress the female-determining gene MeGI, and also in kiwifruits (Actinidia spp.), where the Y-encoded two sex determinants, Shy Girl and Friendly Boy, control gynoecium and androecium development, respectively. Although the molecular functions of these determinants are distinct, they have common evolutionary scenarios involving transitions of sexual systems. In persimmon, a recent genome triplication (hexaploidization) in cultivated persimmon (D. kaki) derived “flexible” sexuality via establishing epigenetic layers on the two sex determinants. On the other hand, an ancient Diospyros-specific paleo-genome duplication (paleo-tetraploidization) enabled neofunctionalization in the proto-MeGI, via positive selection, to establish a new function as a sex determinant. In kiwifruit, one of the two sex determinants, Shy Girl, was derived from neofunctionalization via Actinidia-specific duplication event. These findings exemplify how plant-specific numerous duplication events can drive flexible genetic material whose variation can be selected for development of new sexual systems. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学農学部 Acta Medica Okayama 2186-7755 109 2020 酵母2μプラスミドのコピー数変動の数理的解析 7 11 EN Nozomu Saeki Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University) Hisao Moriya Research Core for Interdisciplinary Sciences, Okayama University 　Plasmids with the 2 μ plasmid origin are commonly-used in the genetic engineering of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Intracellular copy numbers of 2 μ plasmids are different depending on the genes inserted into the plasmids. This difference is thought to occur from the difference in the growth efficiency （fitness） produced by the positive- and negative-selection biases of genes inserted in the plasmid. In this study, we made a mathematical model based on this assumption. Computational simulations of the model validated that copy numbers of the plasmids are rapidly settled depending on the fitness created by the gene on the plasmid. The copy number of a plasmid only contains a bias to keep the plasmid in a single copy became average 20copies per cell when the plasmid is randomly distributed, suggesting that no positive distribution mechanism is required for a plasmid to become multicopy. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Acta Medica Okayama 0289-0771 36 2 2018 Responses to relaxed and reverse selection in strains artificially selected for duration of death-feigning behavior in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum 161 168 EN Kentarou Matsumura Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Takahisa Miyatake Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, Okayama University Divergent lines selected artificially for many generations make it possible to answer two questions: (1) whether genetic variation still exists within the selected population; and (2) whether the selection itself is costly for the selected strain. In previous studies, the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum was divergently selected artificially for duration of death-feigning, and strains selected for longer (L-strain) and shorter (S-strain) durations of death-feigning have been established (Miyatake et al. 2004, 2008). Because the selection experiments have been conducted for more than 27 generations, genetic variation may be eroded. Furthermore, because another previous study reported physiological costs to L-strains, the L-strains selected artificially for longer duration of death-feigning may have suffered more costs than the S-strains. In the present study, therefore, we relaxed the selection pressure after the 27th or 30th generation of S- and L-strains. We also carried out reverse selection during the most recent eight generations of S- and L-strains. The results showed that each strain clearly responded to relaxation of selection and reverse selection, suggesting that (1) additive genetic variation still existed in both strains after long-term selection, and (2) selection for shorter and longer duration of death-feigning was costly. These results suggest that anti-predator behavior is controlled by many loci, and longer or shorter duration of death-feigning is costly in a laboratory without predators. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier Acta Medica Okayama 0016-7037 252 2019 Lithium- and oxygen-isotope compositions of chondrule constituents in the Allende meteorite 107 125 EN Takuya Kunihiro The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Tsutomu Ota The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Eizo Nakamura The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University We report in situ ion-microprobe analyses of Li- and O-isotope compositions for olivine, low-Ca pyroxene, high-Ca pyroxene, and chondrule mesostasis/plagioclase in nine chondrules from the Allende CV3 chondrite. Based on their mineralogy and O-isotope compositions, we infer that the chondrule mesostasis/plagioclase and ferroan olivine rims were extensively modified or formed during metasomatic alteration and metamorphism on the Allende parent asteroid. We excluded these minerals in order to determine the correlations between Li and both O and the chemical compositions of olivines and low-Ca pyroxenes in the chondrules and their igneous rims. Based on the O-isotope composition of the olivines, nine chondrules were divided into three groups. Average Δ17O of olivines (Fo>65) in group 1 and 2 chondrules are −5.3 ± 0.4 and −6.2 ± 0.4‰, respectively. Group 3 chondrules are characterized by the presence of 16O-rich relict grains and the Δ17O of their olivines range from −23.7 to −6.2‰. In group 1 olivines, as Fa content increases, variation of δ7Li becomes smaller and δ7Li approaches the whole-rock value (2.4‰; Seitz et al., 2012), suggesting nearly complete Li-isotope equilibration. In group 2 and 3 olivines, variation of δ7Li is limited even with a significant range of Fa content. We conclude that Li-isotope compositions of olivine in group 1 chondrules were modified not by an asteroidal process but by an igneous-rim formation process, thus chondrule olivines retained Li-isotope compositions acquired in the protosolar nebula. In olivines of the group 3 chondrule PO-8, we observed a correlation between O and Li isotopes: In relict 16O-rich olivine grains with Δ17O of ∼−25 to −20‰, δ7Li ranges from −23 to −3‰; in olivine grains with Δ17O > −20‰, δ7Li is nearly constant (−8 ± 4‰). Based on the Li-isotope composition of low-Ca pyroxenes, which formed from melt during the crystallization of host chondrules and igneous rims, the existence of a gaseous reservoir with a δ7Li ∼ −11‰ is inferred. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Acta Medica Okayama 1345-2630 79 5 2013 Biological and genetic diversity of plasmodiophorid-transmitted viruses and their vectors 307 320 EN Tetsuo Tamada Institute of Plant Science and Resources (IPSR)Okayama University Hideki Kondo Institute of Plant Science and Resources (IPSR), Okayama University About 20 species of viruses belonging to five genera, Benyvirus, Furovirus, Pecluvirus, Pomovirus and Bymovirus, are known to be transmitted by plasmodiophorids. These viruses have all positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genomes that consist of two to five RNA components. Three species of plasmodiophorids are recognized as vectors: Polymyxa graminis, P. betae, and Spongospora subterranea. The viruses can survive in soil within the long-lived resting spores of the vector. There are biological and genetic variations in both virus and vector species. Many of the viruses are causal agents of important diseases in major crops such as rice, wheat, barley, rye, sugar beet, potato, and groundnut. Control is dependent on the development of resistant cultivars. During the last half century, several virus diseases have rapidly spread worldwide. For six major virus diseases, we address their geographical distribution, diversity, and genetic resistance. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 73 5 2019 Risk Factors for Low Bone Mineral Density Determined in Patients in a General Practice Setting 403 411 EN Akemi Ando Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Toshiharu Mitsuhashi Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Mitsugi Honda Division of Radiology, Department of Medical Technology, Okayama University Hospital Yoshihisa Hanayama Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kou Hasegawa Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mikako Obika Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hitomi Kataoka Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Fumio Otsuka Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Original Article 10.18926/AMO/57370 Osteoporosis increases the risk of bone fractures. It is diagnosed based on an individual’s bone mineral density (BMD) or a fracture without trauma. BMD is usually measured by the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) method. Here we investigated factors for the earliest possible prediction of decreased BMD by examining the relationships between patients’ BMD values and changes in the patients’ physical and laboratory values. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 149 patients who visited our department in 2014-2015 for a variety of reasons and underwent an area BMD examination by DXA. We analyzed the relationships between decreasing BMD and the patients’ gender, age, body mass index (BMI), medical background, hemoglobin, electrolytes, and thyroid function. Thirty-nine of the patients were diagnosed with osteoporosis based on their T-scores. An adjusted analysis showed that female gender, aging, and increased serum calcium level were significantly related to decreasing femoral BMD, whereas high BMI was associated with an increase in femoral BMD. Collectively the results indicate that for the early detection of low BMD, it is important for general-practice physicians to consider conducting a BMD checkup when treating female and elderly patients with a low BMI and/or elevated serum calcium level. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier Science Acta Medica Okayama 01681702 262 2019 A novel insect-infecting virga/nege-like virus group and its pervasive endogenization into insect genomes 37 47 EN Hideki Kondo Institute of Plant Science and Resources (IPSR), Okayama University Sotaro Chiba Asian Satellite Campuses Institute, Nagoya University Kazuyuki Maruyama Institute of Plant Science and Resources (IPSR), Okayama University Ida Bagus Andika Institute of Plant Science and Resources (IPSR), Okayama University Nobuhiro Suzuki Institute of Plant Science and Resources (IPSR), Okayama University Insects are the host and vector of diverse viruses including those that infect vertebrates, plants, and fungi. Recent wide-scale transcriptomic analyses have uncovered the existence of a number of novel insect viruses belonging to an alphavirus-like superfamily (virgavirus/negevirus-related lineage). In this study, through an in silico search using publicly available insect transcriptomic data, we found numerous virus-like sequences related to insect virga/nege-like viruses. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these novel viruses and related virus-like sequences fill the major phylogenetic gaps between insect and plant virga/negevirus lineages. Interestingly, one of the phylogenetic clades represents a unique insect-infecting virus group. Its members encode putative coat proteins which contained a conserved domain similar to that usually found in the coat protein of plant viruses in the family Virgaviridae. Furthermore, we discovered endogenous viral elements (EVEs) related to virga/nege-like viruses in the insect genomes, which enhances our understanding on their evolution. Database searches using the sequence of one member from this group revealed the presence of EVEs in a wide range of insect species, suggesting that there has been prevalent infection by this virus group since ancient times. Besides, we present detailed EVE integration profiles of this virus group in some species of the Bombus genus of bee families. A large variation in EVE patterns among Bombus species suggested that while some integration events occurred after the species divergence, others occurred before it. Our analyses support the view that insect and plant virga/nege-related viruses might share common virus origin(s). No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Springer Nature Publishing AG Acta Medica Okayama 20411723 10 1 2019 Origin of ocean island basalts in the West African passive margin without mantle plume involvement 3022 EN Iyasu Getachew Belay The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Ryoji Tanaka The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Hiroshi Kitagawa The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Katsura Kobayashi The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University Eizo Nakamura The Pheasant Memorial Laboratory for Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, Institute for Planetary Materials, Okayama University The geochemical variabilities in intraplate basalts (IB) from the West African passive margin (WAPM) region, have generally been employed to indicate the presence of recycled materials in an associated upwelling mantle plume. However, the absence of time-progressive linear hotspot tracks in WAPM-IB make it difficult to explain their genesis solely by the mantle plume hypothesis. Here, we show that the Sr–Nd–Hf–Pb isotopic variations in basalts from most of the WAPM-IB could have mainly attributed to the derivation from two types of fusible regions of the refertilized subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) and the sub-lithospheric mantle. The locations and magma genesis of WAPM-IB are strongly related to the distance from the Mesozoic rift axis and the structure of the rifted SCLM. The melting of the source region can possibly be attributed to small-scale mantle convection at the base of the SCLM without the involvement of a mantle plume. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier Science Acta Medica Okayama 15671348 54 2017 Characterization of Vibrio cholerae O1 strains that trace the origin of Haitian-like genetic traits 47 53 EN Priyanka Ghosh Division of Bacteriology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Dhirendra Kumar Maharishi Valmiki Infectious Diseases Hospital Goutam Chowdhury Division of Bacteriology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Puneeta Singh Maharishi Valmiki Infectious Diseases Hospital Prosenjit Samanta Division of Bacteriology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Shanta Dutta Division of Bacteriology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases T. Ramamurthy Division of Bacteriology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases N. C. Sharma Maharishi Valmiki Infectious Diseases Hospital Preety Sinha Department of Zoology, A.N. College Yogendra Prasad Department of Animal Science, MJP Rohilkhand University Sumio Shinoda Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases at NICED Asish K. Mukhopadhyay Division of Bacteriology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Vibrio cholerae O1 is the etiological agent of the severe diarrheal disease cholera. The bacterium has recently been causing outbreaks in Haiti with catastrophic effects. Numerous mutations have been reported in V. cholerae O1 strains associated with the Haitian outbreak. These mutations encompass among other the genes encoding virulence factors such as the pilin subunit of the toxin-co-regulated pilus (tcpA), cholera toxin B subunit (ctxB), repeat in toxins (rtxA), and other genes such as the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) of gyrase A (gyrA), rstB of RS element along with the alteration in the number of repeat sequences at the promoter region of ctxAB. Given the numerous genetic changes in those Haitian isolates, we decided to investigate the possible origins of those variations in the Indian subcontinent. Thus, we determined the genetic traits among V. cholerae O1 strains in Delhi, India. A total of 175 strains isolated from cholera patients during 2004 to 2012 were analysed in the present study. Our results showed that all the tested strains carried Haitian type tcpA (tcpACIRS) and variant gyrA indicating their first appearance before 2004 in Delhi. The Haitian variant rtxA and ctxB7 were first detected in Delhi during 2004 and 2006, respectively. Interestingly, not a single strain with the combination of El Tor rtxA and ctxB7 was detected in this study. The Delhi strains carried four heptad repeats (TTTTGAT) in the CT promoter region whereas Haitian strains carried 5 such repeats. Delhi strains did not have any deletion mutations in the rstB like Haitian strains. Overall, our study demonstrates the sequential accumulation of Haitian-like genetic traits among V. cholerae O1 strains in Delhi at different time points prior to the Haitian cholera outbreak. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学理学部地球科学教室 Acta Medica Okayama 1340-7414 25 1 2018 A new method of terrace analysis to determine precise altitudes of former shoreline 31 38 EN Hideki Amano Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Shigeyuki Suzuki Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Masaru Sato Hanshin Consultants Co., Ltd., Makoto Yanagida Hanshin Consultants Co., Ltd., 10.18926/ESR/56694 The study area is situated in Japan Sea side margin of the Shakotan Peninsula, Hokkaido, Japan, where MIS5e Terrace is preserved along the cost. Numbers of tight drilling have done to establish new method for terrace analysis. Buried wave cut terrace and sea cliff (when the MIS5e Terrace was formed) are reconstructed by distribution of the terrace deposits and these bottom of unconformity planes. The precise site and altitude of former shoreline was also obtained. Altitudes of the former shoreline from the 7 sections are almost the same 22 to 27m in height. Previous data of the height of shoreline are obtained from the topographic MIS5e Terrace surface. The altitudes have variation from 30m to 60m. It suggests that the traditional method for the MIS5e terrace analysis had some errors in the study area. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学理学部地球科学教室 Acta Medica Okayama 1340-7414 25 1 2018 ドイツ付近の冬における日々の大きな気温変動に関する総観気候学的解析（冬の追い出しの行事「ファスナハト」における季節感に関連して） 7 17 EN Tatsuya Hamaki Graduate School of Education, Okayama University Kuranoshin Kato Graduate School of Education, Okayama University Kazuo Otani TV Setouchi Broadcasting Co., LTD. Haruko Kato Faculty of Education, Gifu Shotoku Gakuen University Kengo Matsumoto Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University 10.18926/ESR/56692 Synoptic climatological analyses associated with the large day-to-day variation of air temperature around Germany in winter were performed based mainly on the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data for 2000/2001 to 2010/2011 winters, with an interest in the relationship to the “seasonal feeling” in “Fasnacht”, the festival for driving the winter away. The intermittent appearance of the extremely cold days with rather large day-to-day variation in winter as pointed out by Kato et al. (2017) for around Germany was seen also to the north and to the east of Germany. According to a case study for the 2000/2001 winter, such large daily mean temperature fluctuation was closely related to the intraseasonal variation of the Icelandic low with about one month period, i.e., while the temperature around Germany was relatively higher at the eastward shift phase of the Icelandic low due to the strong warm air advection by the SW-ly wind, the temperature was extremely low there when the Icelandic low was weakened and retreated westward. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier Science Acta Medica Okayama 0264410X 32 supplment 1 2014 Hospital based surveillance and genetic characterization of rotavirus strains in children (<5 years) with acute gastroenteritis in Kolkata, India, revealed resurgence of G9 and G2 genotypes during 2011-2013 A20 A28 EN Satarupa Mullick National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Paulami Mandal National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Mukti Kant Nayak National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Souvik Ghosh Department of Hygiene, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine Papiya De National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases K. Rajendran National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Mihir K. Bhattacharya National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Utpala Mitra National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Thandavarayan Ramamurthy National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Nobumichi Kobayashi Department of Hygiene, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine Mamta Chawla-Sarkar National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases INTRODUCTION:　 India accounts for an estimated 457,000-884,000 hospitalizations and 2 million outpatient visits for diarrhea. In spite of the huge burden of rotavirus (RV) disease, RV vaccines have not been introduced in national immunization programme of India. Therefore, continuous surveillance for prevalence and monitoring of the circulating genotypes is needed to assess the disease burden prior to introduction of vaccines in this region.　 METHODS:　 During January 2011 through December 2013, 830 and 1000 stool samples were collected from hospitalized and out-patient department (OPD) patients, respectively, in two hospitals in Kolkata, Eastern India. After primary screening, the G-P typing was done by multiplex semi-nested PCR using type specific primers followed by sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis for the VP7 gene of 25 representative strains was done.　 RESULTS:　 Among hospitalized and OPD patients, 53.4% and 47.5% cases were positive for rotaviruses, respectively. Unlike previous studies where G1 was predominant, in hospitalized cases G9 rotavirus strains were most prevalent (40%), followed by G2 (39.6%) whereas G1 and G12 occurred at 16.4% and 5.6% frequency. In OPD cases, the most prevalent strain was G2 (40.3%), followed by G1, G9 and G12 at 25.5%, 22.8%, 9.3%, respectively. Phylogenetically the G1, G2 and G9 strains from Kolkata did not cluster with corresponding genotypes of Rotarix, RotaTeq and Rotavac (116E) vaccine strains.　 CONCLUSION:　 The study highlights the high prevalence of RV in children with gastroenteritis in Kolkata. The circulating genotypes have changed over the time with predominance of G9 and G2 strains during 2011-2013. The current G2, G9 and G1 Kolkata strains shared low amino acid homologies with current vaccine strains. Although there is substantial evidence for cross protection of vaccines against a variety of strains, still the strain variation should be monitored post vaccine introduction to determine if it has any impact on vaccine effectiveness. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Frontiers Media S.A. Acta Medica Okayama 1664302X 7 2016 Phenotypic and Genetic Heterogeneity in Vibrio cholerae O139 Isolated from Cholera Cases in Delhi, India during 2001-2006 1250 EN Raikamal Ghosh Division of Bacteriology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Naresh C. Sharma Maharishi Valmiki Infectious Diseases Hospital Kalpataru Halder Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology Rupak K. Bhadra Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology Goutam Chowdhury Division of Bacteriology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Gururaja P. Pazhani Division of Bacteriology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Sumio Shinoda Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Asish K. Mukhopadhyay Division of Bacteriology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases G. Balakrish Nair Center for Human Microbial Ecology, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute Thadavarayan Ramamurthy Center for Human Microbial Ecology, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute Incidence of epidemic Vibrio cholerae serogroup O139 has declined in cholera endemic countries. However, sporadic cholera caused by V. cholerae O139 with notable genetic changes is still reported from many regions. In the present study, 42 V. cholerae O139 strains isolated from 2001 to 2006 in Delhi, India, were retrospectively analyzed to understand their phenotype and molecular characteristics. The majority of isolates were resistant to ampicillin, furazolidone and nalidixic acid. Though the integrative conjugative element was detected in all the O139 isolates, the 2004–2006 isolates remained susceptible to co-trimoxazole, chloramphenicol, and streptomycin. Cholera toxin genotype 1 was present in the majority of the O139 isolates while few had type 3 or a novel type 4. In the cholera toxin encoding gene (ctx) restriction fragment length polymorphism, the majority of the isolates harbored three copies of CTX element, of which one was truncated. In this study, the ctx was detected for the first time in the small chromosome of V. cholerae O139 and one isolate harbored 5 copies of CTX element, of which 3 were truncated. The ribotype BII pattern was found in most of the O139 isolates. Three V. cholerae O139 isolated in 2001 had a new ribotype BVIII. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis revealed clonal variation in 2001 isolates compared to the 2004–2006 isolates. Molecular changes in V. cholerae O139 have to be closely monitored as this information may help in understanding the changing genetic features of this pathogen in relation to the epidemiology of cholera. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

PLOS Acta Medica Okayama 11 2 2017 Comparative genome analysis of VSP-II and SNPs reveals heterogenic variation in contemporary strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 isolated from cholera patients in Kolkata, India e0005386 EN Daisuke Imamura Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India Masatomo Morita Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases Tsuyoshi Sekizuka Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases Tamaki Mizuno Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India Taichiro Takemura Vietnam Research Station, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University Tetsu Yamashiro Vietnam Research Station, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University Goutam Chowdhury Division of Bacteriology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Gururaja P. Pazhani Division of Bacteriology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Asish K. Mukhopadhyay Division of Bacteriology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases Thandavarayan Ramamurthy Translational Health Science and Technology Institute Shin-ichi Miyoshi Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Makoto Kuroda Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases Sumio Shinoda Collaborative Research Center of Okayama University for Infectious Diseases in India Makoto Ohnishi Department of Bacteriology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease and a major public health problem in many developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Since the Bay of Bengal is considered the epicenter for the seventh cholera pandemic, it is important to understand the genetic dynamism of Vibrio cholerae from Kolkata, as a representative of the Bengal region. We analyzed whole genome sequence data of V. cholerae O1 isolated from cholera patients in Kolkata, India, from 2007 to 2014 and identified the heterogeneous genomic region in these strains. In addition, we carried out a phylogenetic analysis based on the whole genome single nucleotide polymorphisms to determine the genetic lineage of strains in Kolkata. This analysis revealed the heterogeneity of the Vibrio seventh pandemic island (VSP)-II in Kolkata strains. The ctxB genotype was also heterogeneous and was highly related to VSP-II types. In addition, phylogenetic analysis revealed the shifts in predominant strains in Kolkata. Two distinct lineages, 1 and 2, were found between 2007 and 2010. However, the proportion changed markedly in 2010 and lineage 2 strains were predominant thereafter. Lineage 2 can be divided into four sublineages, I, II, III and IV. The results of this study indicate that lineages 1 and 2-I were concurrently prevalent between 2007 and 2009, and lineage 2-III observed in 2010, followed by the predominance of lineage 2-IV in 2011 and continued until 2014. Our findings demonstrate that the epidemic of cholera in Kolkata was caused by several distinct strains that have been constantly changing within the genetic lineages of V. cholerae O1 in recent years. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Elsevier B.V. Acta Medica Okayama 00167037 235 2018 A simple role of coral-algal symbiosis in coral calcification based on multiple geochemical tracers 76 88 EN Mayuri Inoue Division of Earth Science, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University Takashi Nakamura Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus Yasuaki Tanaka Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam Atsushi Suzuki Geological Survey of Japan, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology Yusuke Yokoyama Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus Hodaka Kawahata Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo Kazuhiko Sakai Sesoko Station, Tropical Biosphere Research Center, University of the Ryukyus Nikolaus Gussone Institut für Mineralogie, Universität Münster Light-enhanced calcification of reef-building corals, which eventually create vast coral reefs, is well known and based on coral-algal symbiosis. Several controversial hypotheses have been proposed as possible mechanisms for connecting symbiont photosynthesis and coral calcification, including pH rise in the internal pool, role of organic matrix secretion, and enzyme activities. Here, based on the skeletal chemical and isotopic compositions of symbiotic and asymbiotic primary polyps of Acropora digitifera corals, we show a simple pH increase in the calcification medium as the predominant contribution of symbionts to calcification of host corals. We used the symbiotic and asymbiotic primary polyps reared for 10 days at four temperatures (27, 29, 31, and 33 °C), five salinities (34, 32, 30, 28, and 26), and four pCO2 levels (<300, 400, 800, and 1000 µatm). As a result of analyzing multiple geochemical tracers (U/Ca, Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, δ18O, δ13C, and δ44Ca), a clear and systematic decrease in skeletal U/Ca ratio (used as a proxy for calcification fluid pH) was observed, indicating a higher pH of the fluid in symbiotic compared to asymbiotic polyps. In contrast, Mg/Ca ratios (used as a tentative proxy for organic matrix secretion) and δ44Ca (used as an indicator of Ca2+ pathway to the fluid) did not differ between symbiotic and asymbiotic polyps. This suggests that organic matrix secretion related to coral calcification is controlled mainly by the coral host itself, and a transmembrane transport of Ca2+ does not vary according to symbiosis relationship. Skeletal δ18O values of both symbiotic and asymbiotic polyps showed offsets between them with identical temperature dependence. Based on a newly proposed model, behavior of δ18O in the present study seems to reflect the rate of CO2 hydration in the calcifying fluid. Since CO2 hydration is promoted by enzyme carbonic anhydrase, the offset of δ18O values between symbiotic and asymbiotic polyps is attributed to the differences of enzyme activity, although the enzyme is functional even in the asymbiotic polyp. Symbiotic δ13C values in the temperature and salinity experiments were higher compared to those in the asymbiotic polyps due to photosynthesis, although photosynthetic δ13C signals in the pCO2 experiment were masked by the dominant δ13C gradient in dissolved inorganic carbon in seawater caused by 13C-depletd CO2 gas addition in the higher pCO2 treatments. Sr/Ca ratios showed a negligible relationship according to variation of temperature, salinity, and pCO2, although it might be attributed to relatively large deviations of replicates of Sr/Ca ratios in the present study. Overall, only the U/Ca ratio showed a significant difference between symbiotic and asymbiotic polyps throughout all experiments, indicating that the critical effect on coral calcification caused by symbiotic algae is the increase of pH of the calcifying fluid by photosynthesis. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Physical Society Acta Medica Okayama 24699950 98 9 2018 Temperature-dependent local structure and superconductivity of BaPd2As2 and SrPd2As2 094525 EN K. Terashima Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University E. Paris Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Roma “La Sapienza” L. Simonelli CELLS - ALBA Synchrotron Radiation Facility E. Salas-Colera Spanish CRG BM25 Spline, ESRF - The European Synchrotron A. Puri CRG-LISA, ESRF T. Wakita Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Y. Yamada Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University S. Nakano Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University H. Idei Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University K. Kudo Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University M. Nohara Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Y. Muraoka Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University T. Mizokawa Department of Applied Physics, Waseda University T. Yokoya Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University N. L. Saini Dipartimento di Fisica, Universitá di Roma “La Sapienza” The local structures of 122-type paradium arsenides, namely BaPd2As2 and SrPd2As2, are examined by As K-edge extended x-ray absorption fine structure measurements to find a possible correlation between the variation of their superconducting transition temperature and the local structure. The local atomic distances are found to be consistent with average distances measured by diffraction techniques. The temperature dependence of mean square relative displacements reveal that, while BaPd2As2 is characterized by a local As-Pd soft mode, albeit with larger atomic disorder, SrPd2As2 shows anomalous As-Pd correlations with a kink at similar to 160 K due to hardening by raising temperature. We have discussed implications of these results and possible mechanisms of differing superconducting transition temperature in relation with the structural instability. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 72 4 2018 Study Design of a Phase II Clinical Trial to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Eperisone in Japanese Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Risk and Non-risk Alleles of CDKAL1 423 426 EN Kourin Sakakida Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University Fan-Yan Wei Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University Takafumi Senokuchi Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University Seiya Shimoda Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University Tatsuyuki Kakuma Biostatics Center, Medical School, Kurume University Eiichi Araki Department of Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University Kazuhito Tomizawa Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University The Eperisone for Diabetes with Impaired tRNA (EDIT) Study Group Clinical Study Protocol 10.18926/AMO/56182 Genetic variation in Cdk5 Regulatory Associated Protein 1-Like 1 (CDKAL1) is associated with the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Dysfunction of CDKAL1 impairs the translation of proinsulin, which leads to glucose intolerance. Eperisone, an antispasmodic agent, has been shown to ameliorate glucose intolerance in Cdkal1-deficient mice. We have launched a phase II clinical study to investigate the potential anti-diabetic effect of eperisone in T2D patients carrying risk or non-risk alleles of CDKAL1. The primary endpoint is the change of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. We also examined whether the efficacy of eperisone in T2D patients is associated with CDKAL1 activity. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Okayama University Medical School Acta Medica Okayama 0386-300X 72 3 2018 Analysis of All 34 Exons of the SPINK5 Gene in Japanese Atopic Dermatitis Patients 275 282 EN Shin Morizane Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mamoru Ouchida Department of Molecular Oncology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ko Sunagawa Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Saeko Sugimoto Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mina Kobashi Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Satoru Sugihara Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hayato Nomura Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kazuhide Tsuji Nishigawara Dermatology Clinic Atsushi Sato Sato Dermatology Clinic Yoshihiro Miura Miura Dermatology Clinic Hiroaki Hattori Hattori Dermatology and Allergy Clinic Kotaro Tada Tada Dermatology Clinic Wook-Kang Huh Dr. Huh's Dermatology Clinic Akemi Seno Department of Dermatology, Mitoyo General Hospital Keiji Iwatsuki Department of Dermatology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Original Article 10.18926/AMO/56073 Lympho-epithelial Kazal-type-related inhibitor (LEKTI) is a large multidomain serine protease inhibitor that is expressed in epidermal keratinocytes. Nonsense mutations of the SPINK5 gene, which codes for LEKTI, cause Netherton syndrome, which is characterized by hair abnormality, ichthyosis, and atopy. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of SPINK5, p.K420E, is reported to be associated with the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). We studied all 34 exons of the SPINK5 gene in Japanese 57 AD patients and 50 normal healthy controls. We detected nine nonsynonymous variants, including p.K420E; these variants had already been registered in the SNP database. Among them, p.R654H (n=1) was found as a heterozygous mutation in the AD patients, but not in the control. No new mutation was detected. We next compared the data of the AD patients with data from the Human Genetic Variation Database provided by Kyoto University; a significant difference was found in the frequency of the p.S368N genotype distribution. PolyPhen-2 and SIFT, two algorithms for predicting the functional effects of amino acid substitutions, showed significant scores for p.R654H. Therefore, R654H might be a risk factor for epidermal barrier dysfunction in some Japanese AD patients. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Physical Society Acta Medica Okayama 2469-9950 95 24 2017 Transistor properties of exfoliated single crystals of 2H-Mo(Se1-x Te-x) 2 ( 0 <= x <= 1) 245310 EN Eri Uesugi Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Xiao Miao Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Hiromi Ota Advanced Science Research Center, Okayama University Hidenori Goto Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Yoshihiro Kubozono Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University Field-effect transistors (FETs) were fabricated using exfoliated single crystals of Mo(Se1-x Te-x)(2) with an x range of 0 to 1, and the transistor properties fully investigated at 295 K in four-terminal measurement mode. The chemical composition and crystal structure of exfoliated single crystals were identified by energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), single-crystal x-ray diffraction, and Raman scattering, suggesting the 2H - structure in all Mo(Se1-x Te-x)(2). The lattice constants of a and c increase monotonically with increasing x, indicating the substitution of Se by Te. When x < 0.4 in a FET with a thin single crystal of Mo(Se1-x Te-x)(2), n-channel FET properties were observed, changing to p-channelor ambipolar operation for x > 0.4. In contrast, the polarity of a thick single-crystal Mo(Se1-x Te-x)(2) FET did not change despite an increase in x. The change of polarity in a thin single-crystal FET was well explained by the variation of electronic structure. The absence of such change in the thick single-crystal FET can be reasonably interpreted based on the large bulk conduction due to naturally accumulated electrons. The mu value in the thin single-crystal FET showed a parabolic variation, with a minimum mu at around x = 0.4, which probably originates from the disorder of the single crystal caused by the partial replacement of Se by Te, i.e., a disorder that may be due to ionic size difference of Se and Te. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Physical Society Acta Medica Okayama 2469-9950 95 6 2017 Locking of length scales in two-band superconductors 064512 EN Masanori Ichioka Department of Physics, RIIS, Okayama University V. G. Kogan Ames Laboratory-DOE and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University J. Schmalian Institut für Theorie der Kondensierten Materie und Institut für Festkörperphysik, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie A model of a clean two-band s-wave superconductor with cylindrical Fermi surfaces, different Fermi velocities v(1),(2), and a general 2x2 coupling matrix V-alpha beta is used to study the order parameter distribution in vortex lattices. The Eilenberger weak coupling formalism is used to calculate numerically the spatial distributions of the pairing amplitudes Delta(1) and Delta(2) of the two bands for vortices parallel to the Fermi cylinders. For generic values of the interband coupling V-12, it is shown that, independently of the couplings V-alpha beta, of the ratio v(1)/v(2), of the temperature, and the applied field, the length scales of spatial variation of Delta(1) and of Delta(2) are the same within the accuracy of our calculations. The only exception from this single length-scale behavior is found for V-12 << V-11, i.e., for nearly decoupled bands. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Nature Publishing Group Acta Medica Okayama 2041-1723 7 2016 A heavy metal P-type ATPase OsHMA4 prevents copper accumulation in rice grain 12138 EN Xin-Yuan Huang Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen Fenglin Deng Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Naoki Yamaji Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Shannon R.M. Pinson USDA-ARS Dale Bumpers National Rice Research Center Miho Fujii-Kashino Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University John Danku Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen Alex Douglas Mary Lou Guerinot Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College David E. Salt Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen Jian Feng Ma Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Rice is a major source of calories and mineral nutrients for over half the world's human population. However, little is known in rice about the genetic basis of variation in accumulation of copper (Cu), an essential but potentially toxic nutrient. Here we identify OsHMA4 as the likely causal gene of a quantitative trait locus controlling Cu accumulation in rice grain. We provide evidence that OsHMA4 functions to sequester Cu into root vacuoles, limiting Cu accumulation in the grain. The difference in grain Cu accumulation is most likely attributed to a single amino acid substitution that leads to different OsHMA4 transport activity. The allele associated with low grain Cu was found in 67 of the 1,367 rice accessions investigated. Identification of natural allelic variation in OsHMA4 may facilitate the development of rice varieties with grain Cu concentrations tuned to both the concentration of Cu in the soil and dietary needs. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Society for Microbiology Acta Medica Okayama 2169-8287 5 41 2017 Chloroplast genome sequences of seven strains of bloom-forming raphidophyte, Heterosigma akashiwo e01030-17 EN Sergio Seoane Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) Kiwamu Hyodo Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University Shoko Ueki Institute of Plant Science and Resources, Okayama University We report here the complete chloroplast genome sequences of seven strains of the bloom-forming raphidophyte Heterosigma akashiwo. These ~160-kb sequences contain 124 protein-, 6 rRNA-, and 34 tRNA-coding sequences. Notable sequence variations were observed among these seven sequenced and two previously characterized strains. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学理学部地球科学教室 Acta Medica Okayama 1340-7414 23 1 2016 ヨーロッパの冬から春にかけての 低気圧活動に関する事例解析（2000年を例に） 33 42 EN Yusuke Kuwana Faculty of Education, Okayama University Kuranoshin Kato Graduate School of Education, Okayama University Yumi Takigawa Faculty of Education, Okayama University Yumi Kojima Faculty of Education, Okayama University Kazuo Otani Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University 10.18926/ESR/55324 Although the extratropical cyclone is one of the basic systems that characterize the weather and climate in mid-latitude regions with the large meridional temperature gradient, its activity and characteristics would be greatly influenced by the seasonal transition and regional differences of the mean atmospheric fields such as between Europe and East Asia. Furthermore, detailed knowledge of the daily cyclone activity would help to understand deeply the differences of regional climatology including seasonal cycles among various areas. In such interest, the present study performed a case study on the cyclone activity around Europe from winter to spring of 2000. In winter, intraseasonal variation of the Icelandic Low was dominant. In the stage when such intraseasonal-scale Icelandic Low approached to the northwestern Europe, the several lows passed eastward with a few days interval around the intraseasonal-scale low pressure area or its southern edge where the baroclinicity was relatively strong. It is also noted that their center pressure was rather low (below 980hPa). After April, when the seasonal mean Icelandic low had disappeared, different types of the intra-seasonal-scale cyclones and anticyclones were dominantly observed. In the lower SLP stage of the intraseasonal variation in Europe, the low to the southwest of England in the middle of April was of the equivalent barotropic structure and persisted for about ten days. On the other hand, high pressure area extending from England to the northern coast of Germany also persisted for about half month. The southern half of that high area was also of equivalent barotropic structure with warmer air there. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学教師教育開発センター Acta Medica Okayama 2186-1323 7 2017 冬の気候と季節感の違いに注目した大学での学際的授業の開発 : ドイツと日本列島付近とを比較して 157 166 EN Kuranoshin Kato Graduate School of Education, Okayama University Haruko Kato Faculty of Education, Gufu Shotoku Gakuen University Kazuo Otani TV Setouchi Broadcasting Co., LTD Tatsuya Hamaki Board of Education, Okayama-city Yuichi Haga Chayamachi Primary School 10.18926/CTED/54941 　中高緯度における季節サイクルの多様性や日々の変動に伴う季節の中の幅にも注目して，ドイツ付近での冬の追い出しの行事「ファスナハト」を題材に学際的授業を開発し，大学での教科横断的授業の中での実践結果を検討した。授業では，「ドイツではなぜ冬を追い出さずにはいられないのか」を気候データからイメージして，それを音楽で表現する活動（ファスナハトのオリジナル作品の創作）を行なった。ドイツの冬の厳しさは，平均気温が低いだけでなく，日々の変動が大きい中での極端な低温日の頻出にも特徴づけられていた。音楽での表現活動では，気候データの把握とファスナハトの行事の映像の視聴等により，その行事の存在の意義を考えることが出来た。更に，それらを踏まえた創作と演奏により，日本と比較したドイツ付近の季節の特徴や移り変わりの何に自分が注目しているのかを学生自身が再認識して，気候やそこに住む人々の感じ方を想像する機会となった。 No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学農学部 Acta Medica Okayama 2186-7755 106 2017 Variations in capsaicinoid contents in the chili pepper (Capsicum baccatum) and its non-pungent accessions 27 32 EN Yoshiyuki Tanaka Graduate School of Environmental and life Science, Okayama University Motohito Hara Graduate School of Environmental and life Science, Okayama University Tanjuro Goto Graduate School of Environmental and life Science, Okayama University Yuichi Yoshida Graduate School of Environmental and life Science, Okayama University Ken-ichiro Yasuba Graduate School of Environmental and life Science, Okayama University The chili pepper (Capsicum) is both an important spice and fresh vegetable worldwide. C. baccatum is a lesser known domesticated species that is native to the Andean region. Fruit traits such as color, shape, and pungency markedly vary in this species. C. baccatum has potential as a bioresource for future chili pepper breeding programs. Although extensive studies have been conducted on the pungency of C. annuum, that of C. baccatum has not been examined in as much detail. In the present study, capsaicinoid contents were analyzed in 36 C. baccatum accessions. Capsaicinoid contents ranged between 0 and 4,258 μg/gDW. Furthermore, a negative relationship was observed between capsaicinoid contents and fruit weights. Although the pungency of C. baccatum is regarded as low-mild, very few non-pungent accessions were detected ; only one non-pungent accession (‘Kaleidoscope’) was identified among the C. baccatum accessions examined. In order to validate the stability of non-pungency in the accession, capsaicinoid contents were determined at different harvest dates, along with other accessions with different pungencies. Although capsaicinoid contents in other C. baccatum accessions changed with the picking date, capsaicinoid was not detected in ‘Kaleidoscope’ at any date. The non-pungent accession reported here may be useful for future C. baccatum pepper breeding programs. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山医学会 Acta Medica Okayama 0030-1558 128 3 2016 脳波：小児てんかんにおける古くて新しい検査 183 189 EN Katsuhiro Kobayashi Department of Child Neurology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学農学部 Acta Medica Okayama 2186-7755 105 2016 Molecular-based analysis of genetic diversity and classification of Japanese melon breeding lines 7 15 EN Tran Phuong Dung Katsunori Tanaka Yukari Akashi Duong Thanh Thuy Hidetaka Nishida Kenji Kato For the breeding of Japanese netted melon, various types of foreign cultivars have been utilized for improving adaptability, disease and pest resistance, fruit quality and so on. However, little is known about their genetic diversity and relationships, since most cultivars derived from crosses between various horticultural groups. To figure out the genetic structure of Japanese melon, in this study, 57 melon accessions from three horticultural groups were examined using 55 RAPD markers produced by 24 RAPD primers. Genetic diversity of the Japanese netted melon was as high as those of cultivar groups of Groups Cantalupensis and Inodorus, while it was low in Group Conomon irrespective of large variations in fruit traits. Cluster analysis and PCO analysis based on genetic distance showed that Group Conomon was distantly related to other melon accessions. Among the latter, European cantaloupe (nonnetted) and American open-field type (netted) proved to be genetically close, while England glasshouse melon (netted) including ‘Earl’s Favourite’ is distantly related to these two groups and closely related with Group Inodorus. It was therefore suggested that England glasshouse type was established from hybrids between European cantaloupe and Group Inodorus. Japanese netted melon was most closely related with England glasshouse type, irrespective of the fact that various kinds of melon accessions have been crossed to improve adaptability, disease resistance and so on. In contrast, pure line cultivars of the Japanese netted melon bred by pure line selection from ‘Earl's Favourite’ or by crossing ‘Earl’s Favourite’ with ‘British Queen’ were confirmed to be mostly homogenous, and it was difficult to establish RAPD markers to discriminate each cultivar. Group Conomon var. makuwa and var. conomon, which have been cultivated and utilized as different crops, proved to be genetically indistinguishable and were considered to share the same gene pool. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

National Academy of Sciences. Acta Medica Okayama 0027-8424 112 39 2015 Identification of the VERNALIZATION 4 gene reveals the origin of spring growth habit in ancient wheats from South Asia E5401 E5410 EN Nestor Kippes Juan M. Debernardi Hans A. Vasquez-Gross Bala A. Akpinar Hikment Budak Kenji Kato Shiaoman Chao Eduard Akhunov Jorge Dubcovsky Wheat varieties with a winter growth habit require long exposures to low temperatures (vernalization) to accelerate flowering. Natural variation in four vernalization genes regulating this requirement has favored wheat adaptation to different environments. The first three genes (VRN1–VRN3) have been cloned and characterized before. Here we show that the fourth gene, VRN-D4, originated by the insertion of a ∼290-kb region from chromosome arm 5AL into the proximal region of chromosome arm 5DS. The inserted 5AL region includes a copy of VRN-A1 that carries distinctive mutations in its coding and regulatory regions. Three lines of evidence confirmed that this gene is VRN-D4: it cosegregated with VRN-D4 in a high-density mapping population; it was expressed earlier than other VRN1 genes in the absence of vernalization; and induced mutations in this gene resulted in delayed flowering. VRN-D4 was found in most accessions of the ancient subspecies Triticum aestivum ssp. sphaerococcum from South Asia. This subspecies showed a significant reduction of genetic diversity and increased genetic differentiation in the centromeric region of chromosome 5D, suggesting that VRN-D4 likely contributed to local adaptation and was favored by positive selection. Three adjacent SNPs in a regulatory region of the VRN-D4 first intron disrupt the binding of GLYCINE-RICH RNA-BINDING PROTEIN 2 (TaGRP2), a known repressor of VRN1 expression. The same SNPs were identified in VRN-A1 alleles previously associated with reduced vernalization requirement. These alleles can be used to modulate vernalization requirements and to develop wheat varieties better adapted to different or changing environments. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE Acta Medica Okayama 1932-6203 9 3 2014 Genetic Characterization of Hepatitis C Virus in Long-Term RNA Replication Using Li23 Cell Culture Systems e91156 EN Nobuyuki Kato Hiroe Sejima Youki Ueda Kyoko Mori Shinya Satoh Hiromichi Dansako Masanori Ikeda Background　 　 The most distinguishing genetic feature of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is its remarkable diversity and variation. To understand this feature, we previously performed genetic analysis of HCV in the long-term culture of human hepatoma HuH-7-derived HCV RNA-replicating cell lines. On the other hand, we newly established HCV RNA-replicating cell lines using human hepatoma Li23 cells, which were distinct from HuH-7 cells. 　 Methodology/Principal Findings　 　 Li23-derived HCV RNA-replicating cells were cultured for 4 years. We performed genetic analysis of HCVs recovered from these cells at 0, 2, and 4 years in culture. Most analysis was performed in two separate parts: one part covered from the 5′-terminus to NS2, which is mostly nonessential for RNA replication, and the other part covered from NS3 to NS5B, which is essential for RNA replication. Genetic mutations in both regions accumulated in a time-dependent manner, and the mutation rates in the 5′-terminus-NS2 and NS3-NS5B regions were 4.0–9.0×10−3 and 2.7–4.0×10−3 base substitutions/site/year, respectively. These results suggest that the variation in the NS3-NS5B regions is affected by the pressure of RNA replication. Several in-frame deletions (3–105 nucleotides) were detected in the structural regions of HCV RNAs obtained from 2-year or 4-year cultured cells. Phylogenetic tree analyses clearly showed that the genetic diversity of HCV was expanded in a time-dependent manner. The GC content of HCV RNA was significantly increased in a time-dependent manner, as previously observed in HuH-7-derived cell systems. This phenomenon was partially due to the alterations in codon usages for codon optimization in human cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that these long-term cultured cells were useful as a source for the selection of HCV clones showing resistance to anti-HCV agents. 　 Conclusions/Significance　 　 Long-term cultured HCV RNA-replicating cells are useful for the analysis of evolutionary dynamics and variations of HCV and for drug-resistance analysis. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学理学部地球科学教室 Acta Medica Okayama 1340-7414 21 1 2014 スカイラジオメーターとライダーを用いた岡山上空のエアロゾル観測 13 21 EN Sinpei Nagamatsu Daiki Egawa Osamu Tsukamoto 10.18926/ESR/53194 　Aerosol is one of the controlling parameter for the global climate and also effects on local health hazards. The measurement of the aerosol was originally carried out as in-situ sampling and mass weight measurement including chemical analysis. Recently, remote sensing method is applied as satellite remote sensing and surface based remote sensing. Skyradiometer and LIDAR are surface based remote sensing system. Skyradiometer measures solar radiation as direct and scattered solar radiation affected by aerosols. LIDAR emit laser beam upward and it is backscattered by overlying aerosols. The backscattered light is received by a telescope and vertical distributions of the aerosols are obtained. These measurements require atmospheric radiation physics. 　A Skyradiometer and a LIDAR were operated continuously at Okayama University campus and aerosol parameters were obtained from both of the system. Seasonal variations of the AOT (Aerosol Optical Thickness) and Angstrom parameter (α) are evaluated. During some dust events (e.g. yellow sand and PM2.5), time variations of these parameters were identified from both of the measurement system. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

American Society for Microbiology Acta Medica Okayama 0095-1137 52 2 2014 Necessity for Reassessment of Patients with Serogroup 2 Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Undetectable Serum HCV RNA 544 548 EN Yuki Moritou Fusao Ikeda Yasuto Takeuchi Hiroyuki Seki Shintaro Nanba Yoshiaki Iwasaki Kazuhide Yamamoto We encountered a patient positive for anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) whose serum HCV RNA was undetectable with the Roche AmpliPrep/Cobas TaqMan HCV assay (CAP/CTM) version 1 but showed a high viral load with the Abbott RealTime HCV assay (ART). Discrepancies in the detectability of serum HCV RNA were investigated among 891 consecutive patients who were positive for anti-HCV. Specific nucleotide variations causing the undetectability of HCV RNA were determined and confirmed by synthesizing RNA coding those variations. Serum samples with the discrepancies were also reassessed by CAP/CTM version 2. Among the 891 anti-HCV-positive patients, 4 patients had serum HCV RNA levels that were undetectable by CAP/CTM version 1 despite having levels of > 5 log IU/ml that were detected by ART. All four patients had HCV genotype 2a and high titers of anti-HCV. Sequencing of the HCV 5' noncoding regions revealed 2 common variations, A at nucleotide (nt) 145 and T at nt 151. Synthesized RNAs of the HCV 5' noncoding region with standard (NCR145G151C) and variant nucleotides at nt 145 and nt 151 were quantified with CAP/CTM. RNAs of NCR145G151C and NCR145G151T were quantifiable with CAP/CTM version 1, while those of NCR145A151T and NCR145A151C went undetected. The substitution from G to A at nt 145 specifically conferred this undetectability, while this undetectability was reverted in synthesized HCV RNA with correction of this variation. Reassessment of these samples by CAP/CTM version 2 resulted in similar levels of HCV RNA being detected by ART. We conclude that HCV patients with undetectable HCV RNA by CAP/CTM version 1 should be reassessed for viral quantification. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山医学会 Acta Medica Okayama 0030-1558 126 3 2014 平成25年度岡山医学会賞 胸部・循環研究奨励賞（砂田賞） 199 201 EN Akira Shinaoka 受賞論文: Shinaoka A, Momota R, Shiratsuchi E, Kosaka M, Kumagishi K, Nakahara R, Naito I, Ohtsuka A：Architecture of the subendothelial elastic fibers of small blood vessels and variations in vascular type and size. Microsc Microanal (2013) 19, 406-414. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2013 Regional Variation in Survival Following Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest EN Yoshio Okamoto No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 1346-9843 77 10 2013 Regional Variation in Survival Following Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest 2596 2603 EN Yoshio Okamoto Taku Iwami Tetsuhisa Kitamura Masahiko Nitta Atsushi Hiraide Tsuneo Morishima Takashi Kawamura Background: Although regional variation in outcome after adult out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is known, no clinical studies have assessed this in pediatric OHCA. Methods and Results: This nationwide, prospective, population-based observation of the whole of Japan included consecutive OHCA patients with resuscitation attempt from January 2005 through December 2009. Primary outcome was 1-month survival with neurologically favorable outcome. Japan was divided into the following 7 regions as the largest administrative units: Hokkaido-Tohoku, Kanto, Tokai-Hokuriku, Kinki, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu-Okinawa. The outcome of pediatric OHCA was then compared between the regions. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for other factors that were considered to influence the relationship between region and outcome. A total of 8,240 pediatric OHCA patients were registered during the study period. One-month survival with neurologically favorable outcome significantly differed by region: 2.5% (24/967) in Hokkaido-Tohoku (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94-2.90), 2.9% (47/1614) in Tokai-Hokuriku (AOR, 2.06; 95% CI: 1.28-3.31), 2.1% (26/1239) in Kinki (AOR, 1.45; 95% CI: 0.84-2.51), 3.4% (16/465) in Chugoku (AOR, 3.11; 95% CI: 1.62-6.00), 1.5% (4/259) in Shikoku (AOR, 0.79; 95% CI: 0.26-2.43), and 2.8% (27/974) in Kyushu-Okinawa (AOR, 2.15; 95% CI: 1.24-3.74) referred to Kanto (1.4%, 37/2722). Conclusions: According to Japanese nationwide OHCA registry data there are significant regional variations in the outcome of pediatric OHCA. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Oxford University Press Acta Medica Okayama 1340-2838 19 6 2012 Discovery of High-Confidence Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms from Large-Scale De Novo Analysis of Leaf Transcripts of Aegilops tauschii, A Wild Wheat Progenitor 487 497 EN Julio Cesar Masaru Iehisa Akifumi Shimizu Kazuhiro Sato Shuhei Nasuda Shigeo Takumi Construction of high-resolution genetic maps is important for genetic and genomic research, as well as for molecular breeding. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the,predominant class of genetic variation and can be used as molecular markers. Aegilops tauschii, the D-genome donor of common wheat, is considered a valuable genetic resource for wheat improvement. Our previous study implied that Ae. tauschii accessions can be genealogically divided into two major lineages. In this study, the transcriptome of two Ae. tauschii accessions from each lineage, lineage 1 (L1) and 2 (L2), was sequenced, yielding 9435 SNPs and 739 insertion/deletion polymorphisms (indels) after de novo assembly of the reads. Based on 36 contig sequences, 31 SNPs and six indels were validated on 20 diverse Ae. tauschii accessions. Because almost all of the SNP markers were polymorphic between L1 and L2, and the D-genome donor of common wheat is presumed to belong to L2, these markers are available for D-genome typing in crosses between common wheat varieties and L1-derived synthetic wheat. Due to the conserved synteny between wheat and barley chromosomes, the high-density expressed sequence tag barley map and the hypothetical gene order in barley can be applied to develop markers on target chromosomal regions in wheat. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学理学部地球科学教室 Acta Medica Okayama 1340-7414 20 1 2013 岡山県新見市の中新世備北層群からのPeriploma mitsuganoense Araki (Bivalvia: Mollusca)について　―特にその古地理学的意義― 7 11 EN Eiji Taguchci Shingo Kishimoto Shigeyuki Suzuki 10.18926/ESR/52165 In this paper, we deal with re-description of Periploma mitsuganoense Araki and it’s morphological variation and significance of the molluscan fauna of it from the Miocene Bihoku Group in Niimi City, Okayama Prefecture, Southwest Japan. Moreover, the paleogeographic significance of this species is analyzed. The obtained results are summarized as follows: 1. The morphological variation of Periploma mitsuganoense Araki has a wide range on the basis of the analysis of the morphological outline. 2. The occurrence of P. mitsuganoense Araki from the Pectinid fauna is the first record in the West Setouchi Geological Province. 3. It is presumable that P. mitsuganoense Araki is an endemic species in the First Setouchi Geological Province from a view point of it’s spatial distribution. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 1431-9276 19 2 2013 Architecture of the Subendothelial Elastic Fibers of Small Blood Vessels and Variations in Vascular Type and Size 406 414 EN Akira Shinaoka Ryusuke Momota Eri Shiratsuchi Mitsuko Kosaka Kanae Kumagishi Ryuichi Nakahara Ichiro Naito Aiji Ohtsuka Most blood vessels contain elastin that provides the vessels with the resilience and flexibility necessary to control hemodynamics. Pathophysiological hemodynamic changes affect the remodeling of elastic components, but little is known about their structural properties. The present study was designed to elucidate, in detail, the three-dimensional (3D) architecture of delicate elastic fibers in small vessels, and to reveal their architectural pattern in a rat model. The fine vascular elastic components were observed by a newly developed scanning electron microscopy technique using a formic acid digestion with vascular casts. This method successfully visualized the 3D architecture of elastic fibers in small blood vessels, even arterioles and venules. The subendothelial elastic fibers in such small vessels assemble into a sheet of meshwork running longitudinally, while larger vessels have a higher density of mesh and thicker mesh fibers. The quantitative analysis revealed that arterioles had a wider range of mesh density than venules; the ratio of density to vessel size was higher than that in venules. The new method was useful for evaluating the subendothelial elastic fibers of small vessels and for demonstrating differences in the architecture of different types of vessels. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2013 Architecture of the Subendothelial Elastic Fibers of Small Blood Vessels and Variations in Vascular Type and Size EN Akira Shinaoka No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学資源生物科学研究所 Acta Medica Okayama 0029-0874 59 3 1981 カドミウムによって誘発された脊椎骨異常魚のカルシウム, 燐, マグネシウムおよびカドミウム含有量の変化 141 148 EN S. Muramoto No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

岡山大学資源生物科学研究所 Acta Medica Okayama 0029-0874 62 4 1991 耐塩限界濃度におけるホテイアオイ中14種の元素含有量の変化 283 291 EN Shigeki Muramoto Isao Aoyama Yoko Oki Masakazu Yagi No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.